Dolores's Hikkiquest

//Quest start, a week after the final teen event
You approach Dolores, but rather than her usual greeting, she stands up and approaches you with determination in her eyes. You're not sure what she's so fired up about, but it's clear that she has something important to say as she stands before you, mustering up her courage.

[say:Would you show me around?]

Show her around? Isn't this [i:her] home?

[say:Apologies]—a slight blush creeps up her face—[say:I mean I'd like to travel with you. As in, outside of this cave.] A brief pause. [say:To see the world,] she clarifies.

Well there's not much of a world left anymore. Traveling could be quite dangerous for someone as unprepared as her. Also, doesn't she usually prefer being indoors? This is a bit odd for her, especially given how sudden it is. You ask her why she's making such an unexpected request.

[say:Well, as an adult]—you're not sure about that one, but you don't know what would happen if you corrected her—[say:it's far past the time for me to spread my wings]—hers do a little flutter, and you can barely hold back your reaction—[say:and leave the nest, so to speak. Pursuant to this, I would like to request that you guide me to some of the places you've been.]

[say:So, would you take me to see the sights?]

[Accept] [Decline] [Later]


[Decline] //tooltip- You're not interested in traipsing around Mareth with her.
You tell Dolores that you have no desire to do anything of the sort. She's lived all her life here, and there's no real reason to humor this passing fancy. Not to mention all the danger that such a trip would involve; it's hardly worth the time or effort.

While her confident expression barely budges, you can tell from her eyes that this has hurt Dolores. [say:Alright, [Father], I understand. I just...] She lets the thought trail, and there's a long, awkward silence.

[say:I'd like some time to think things over,] she finally finishes, a slight waver in her voice. You don't think you'll be getting anything else out of her, so you return to the main room, the door closing with a definitive thump.
//Dolores disabled for visit, never brought up again.


[Later] //tooltip- You're not ready this exact moment.
You tell Dolores that although you aren't opposed to the idea, now's not the right time. You'll need more time to prepare before you can help her with this.

She takes this fairly well, her confident expression not wavering in the slightest. [say:Very well, please tell me when you feel ready for such an undertaking.]

With that, she returns to her seat and looks at you expectantly.
//Normal menu
//Adds [Travel] to her talk options, which is just [Accept]


[Accept] //tooltip- You'd be happy to give your daughter some worldly experience.
You tell Dolores that you'd be happy to take her along with you.

Though you can tell she's trying to keep herself composed, your daughter can't quite hold back the bubbly smile that peeks out from the corner of her mouth at this news. [say:Thank you, [Father]. I promise not to be a burden. Just give me a moment to collect my things.]

She spins around and begins loading a small pack with various traveling essentials, and it becomes clear that she's put a lot of thought into this. A short while later, everything's ready, and the moth turns to you with an expression overflowing with excitement.

[say:Alright. Shall we go?]

The only matter left to decide is where exactly you'll be going. You've visited a fair number of places in your time in Mareth, but what kinds of locales would Dolores want to visit? You ask her if she has any ideas to start off with.

[say:Oh, would you show me where you live? I've always been somewhat curious...]

That sounds manageable enough[if (other places unlocked) {, and a few other thoughts are already percolating in your head}]. As you lead Dolores out through the cave entrance, you begin briefing her on all the potential dangers you may face on the way, trying to make sure she's prepared for the road ahead. She nods along, but the fact that you can almost see stars in her eyes still leaves you with some worries as to how seriously she's taking this.

And it doesn't help any that you have the strange sensation of being watched as you traverse the bog. Still, the only things you encounter on your path are an errant frog girl who quickly hops away and an old wooden cane leaning against a stump. It doesn't look like any dangers are going to jump out at you, so you turn your mind to your first destination...

[Camp] [Marielle] [Bazaar] [Tel'Adre Lib] [Circe] [Outdoor Sex] [Rest] [Done]
//Each option shows all the ones you haven't yet picked. [Done] only appears after you've shown her at least one place.



[Rest] //tooltip- Take a break before you continue your trip
You tell Dolores that you need some time before you can take her to the next destination. After all, travel like this can be quite tiring, and it's important to pace oneself.

She takes this very well, giving you a smile in return and saying, [say:Of course, [Father]. Please take all of the time you need. I'll be waiting for whenever you next feel ready, so please do come calling when you're fit to continue.] She draws you into a brief hug, apparently thankful enough to actually initiate contact. However, she pulls back fairly quickly, the slightest hint of a blush on her face.

[say:Ahem. Shall we?]

The two of you head back for home, parting ways once you've safely delivered her back to the cave entrance. Your trip back to camp feels oddly lonely without someone by your side.
//back to camp



[Continue] //tooltip- Pick up where you left off.

You tell Dolores that you're ready to continue your travels.

[say:Ah, yes, Lets!] she says, a bright smile on her face.
//Same options, but also [Back].



[Camp] //tooltip- Show her your own home.

As the familiar sight of your camp comes into view, you feel a complex mix of emotions. This is probably one of the safest places in the whole world you could have taken your daughter, but for some reason, there's a lingering worry somewhere deep in your chest. Will she like it? [if (camppop > 0) {Will she get along with your other camp members?] How will it compare to her own home?

As these thought swirl about in your mind, you hear a sharp intake of breath from your side. You turn to see Dolores staring at your camp with interest, running a hand over some of the crude art you've carved into a rock as she passes by.

[say:Well, we've arrived. Would you mind showing me around?]

What would be best to show your daughter?
//If you have no one in camp (same paragraph)
While your camp is fairly barren, you still have some things of note. You bring her to your [cabin], allowing her to see where you rest your head every night, and to the fireplace in the center of your camp. You show her the stream where you wash your clothes and bathe, and the traps you've set around your camp. Mundane things, you suppose, but still, this is your life, and it [i:is] what she wanted to see.

The greatest point of interest is the portal. When you take your daughter over to it, her eyes immediately light up, and she looks like she's barely even listening when you start to talk about the various observations you've made since your arrival. She slowly drifts over to the ominous, glowing rip in reality, reaching out a tentative hand before pulling it back.

[say:Fascinating...]

After she's had her fill of that, you take her around the rest of your camp, showing her anything you might have forgotten. She's fairly quiet, so it's hard to judge her reaction, but you don't think she's all that displeased with what she's seeing.

[if (silly) {And finally, you reach your pride and joy, your precious water barrel. You pat it on the side, explaining to Dolores how it inexplicably appeared out of the blue one fine morning, and how inseparable you've been ever since. Yes, this barrel has kept you company through many long nights, has succored you when there was no rain at all for some stupid reason. You don't know what you'd do without it.}]
//Go to conclusion, don't clear text


//If you have campmates (same paragraph)
It comes to you quickly, and you ask if she wouldn't like to meet some of the other people here at camp.

[say:Ah, well if they're [i:your] companions, I'm sure they're all lovely people.]

You can only hope her optimism will hold.

//Idfk order or whatever

//Amily
You bring Dolores over to your mouse lover. Amily seems surprised and a bit suspicious that you've brought a strange girl with you, but that quickly clears up when you explain that she's your daughter.

[say:Oh, you're [name]'s daughter? I guess I can sort of see the resemblance. Well in any case, welcome to the camp, it's nice to meet you.]

Dolores gives her a gentle smile in response. [say:Ah, thank you. If you don't mind my asking, how did you meet [Father]? We haven't talked much of the things [he]'s done elsewhere, and I'd love to know more...]

The two of them chat cordially for a time, and you even catch the mouse giving her warm, almost motherly smiles. You suppose those instincts are deep-rooted. Before too long, you part ways, continuing further into the camp.


//Izma
Your tigershark beta happens to be lounging nearby, so you usher Dolores over to her. Izma is currently occupied with reading a book, which you realize is a perfect opportunity for them to hit it off. She looks up at your approach, and you quickly explain the situation to her.

[say:Dolores, is it? Well any child of my Alpha is bound to be a strong person, and I can clearly see that you are.]

Dolores blushes a bit at the unexpected praise, but quickly replies, [say:Why thank you. I'm dreadfully sorry to impose, but what is it that you're reading? I'm a bit of a bibliophile myself, and...]

She doesn't finish, but Izma gives her an easy grin. [say: I don't mind at all, I'm reading...]

The two of them talk about books for a surprising amount of time, the conversation seamlessly flowing from one subject to the next as they both let out their enthusiasm at having met someone with similar interests. Eventually, Dolores seems to realize that you've been dallying there for a decent amount of time, so she breaks the talk off, giving the tigershark a warm wave over her shoulder as the two of you continue on your way.


//Rathazul
You approach the old alchemist, but it takes a few attempts to get his attention. When you do, however, he immediately takes on interest in your daughter, quickly pausing in whatever it was he was doing with the various vials around his lab.

[say:Curious. I haven't seen a moth in many years. I had presumed that their failing birth rates would have sealed their fate after the demon invasion, but I suppose you are living proof otherwise. Tell me, do you know of any others still around?]

[say:Ah, I'm afraid I don't,] she responds, casting her eyes downwards. [say:I believe my mother and I may be among the last remaining.]

[say:A shame,] the rat says, shaking his head. [say:Your silk is just the most incredible compound. It's actually...]

He goes on for some time about the alchemical properties of various moth byproducts, and for her part, Dolores does actually listen with interest, thanking Rathazul when he's finally done. The rat-morph then goes back to his mixing, and the two of you continue on.


//Helspawn
You seek out your salamander daughter, eager to have the two meet. It's not long before you find her nearby to your [cabin], staring off into the distance. She perks up when your eyes meet, and seems curious about who you've brought with you. It's not long before you have the two introduced, and [Helspawn] confidently dives into the conversation.

//Chaste
[say:Oh, it's lovely to meet you.] She smiles gently. [say:I didn't know [Dad] had another daughter around my age.]

[say:Yes, [Father] hasn't really talked about this place, either, so it's nice to be able to see it for myself. I, uh...] Dolores doesn't seem to know what to talk about, but the salamander doesn't seem to mind, easily detecting that she's uncomfortable and trying to account for that.

[say:Well... What are you into? There's not always a whole lot to do around here, but if you want, we can hang out.]

[say:Ah, well, that, um, sounds... agreeable. Let's.]

[Helspawn] takes Dolores by the hand and drags her off to a nearby field, chattering animatedly. Dolores seems a bit put off at first, but over time, she softens, seeming to actually enjoy the time she spends with the salamander.

You even hear them laughing together after some time, and it warms your heart to see the two get along so well. Talking to people is a bit hit or miss with Dolores, but it seems that [Helspawn] has been able to effortlessly avoid that problem. They part soon after, waving to each other as the moth joins you once again.

//Slutty
[say:Oh, aren't you just the cutest little thing?] she says, her eyes flashing with humor.

[say:E-Excuse me?]

[say:Oh, I don't know what I'd do with such a precious little daughter. I'd just eat you up.] She chuckles, and Dolores blushes.

[say:I-I don't know what you're trying to imply by that. I—] [Helspawn] cuts her off by leaning in really closing, causing Dolores to bend backwards a bit as she clams up and looks to the side.

[say:I can see why [he] hasn't brought you around before now. I know [i:I'd] want to keep you all to myself.]

The teasing continues in this fashion for some time, but after a few minutes of it, Dolores seems to realize that she doesn't mean any harm. The young moth starts to reply more boldly, and even manages to get in a few retorts that one might even call catty.

The climax is when [Helspawn] actually manages to draw a giggle from your other daughter, and the pride in her subsequent smile is really something to see. The two part on surprisingly good terms as you get back to your trip.


//Kid A
You [walk] up the the water barrel your anemone daughter lives in, [if (silly) {overjoyed that you have a working water barrel|calling out to her as you do so}]. Her little head peeks out, but she seems somewhat wary now that you have a stranger with you. You explain who Dolores is to her, and Kid A [if (confident) {quickly perks up|slowly calms down}], her head raising further out of the barrel.

Surprisingly, Dolores is the one to make the first move, stepping forward and saying, [say:H-How do you do?]

[say:...]

[say:...]

[say:...]

The two of them remain silent for a long while, but oddly enough, Dolores smiles after a minute or so of this. Even more bizarrely, Kid A smiles back. The two of them exchange a nod, and Dolores pull you along. You suppose there are just some things you can't understand.


//Arian
An idea alights in your head. Arian is quite adept with magic, so who better to introduce Dolores to? You lead her over to the lizan's tent and let yourself in, finding that [Arian ey] is simply sitting and enjoying a cup of tea.

[say:Oh hello there, [name]. Who is that you have with you?]

You explain who Dolores is and why you've come here, making sure to mention her interest in magic.

[Arian Ey] turns to her and smiles cordially. [say:Well, I did used to be a teacher, so I would be happy to talk about that with you. What kinds of magic are you already familiar with?]

Dolores lights up at this topic of conversation, clearly in her element as she starts to describe the theory and practice she's familiarized herself with in the past months. Arian listens intently, nodding along and occasionally offering a small comment or asking for clarification.

[say:Self-taught, are you?] [Arian ey] finally says when your daughter has finished.

[say:W-Well, yes...] she replies, blushing faintly. However, the lizan simply grins in response, putting all of her worries to rest.

[say:That's really wonderful, to have done all that on your own. Now, it sounded to me like you...]

The two of them talk for some time, Arian offering many pointers which the young moth absolutely eats up. It takes a while before you can manage to drag Dolores away, telling her that there are still things left to see, and that you shouldn't keep Arian too long. They part amicably, your daughter promising to study hard and look into what she's been told as you exit through the tent flaps.


//Ember
You take Dolores over to meet your local dragon, an uncertain premonition already hanging in the back of your mind. When you catch sight of [Ember em], [Ember ey] seems to be in a good mood, simply leaning against a rock while cleaning [Ember eir] claws, which is a good sign, so you proceed with the introduction.

However, before you can get more than a word in, Ember cuts you off. [say:And who is this?] [Ember ey] says, a sneer already on [Ember eir] lips.

And before you can respond to [i:that], Dolores steps forward, her nose raised slightly. [say:I am Dolores, [name]'s daughter. And you might be?]

A low rumble sounds from the Ember's direction, and regret is already eating at you. [say:[b:I'm] the one who actually lives here, so I don't know where you get off taking that tone.] [if (littleember) {It's a little amusing to watch the much shorter dragon try to threaten the moth, but you can't help but worry anyway|The dragon's imposing stature and threatening pose are a tad worrying, but there's no direct cause for concern yet}]. You just hope things won't come to violence.

Dolores sniffs. [say:I'd thought lizards were cold-blooded. Testy, are we?]

You immediately grab her around the waist and start marching in the other direction. It might be your imagination, but you think you feel a bit of heat on the back of your neck as you hurriedly get on your way to anywhere else.

[say:Hey, put me down! What did I do wrong?]

You grant her request, but ask in return that she not cause any fires at your next destination. The moth just pouts.


//Akky
You know one very special member of your camp that you'd be remiss if you didn't introduce her to. If only you could find him. You look everywhere for [akky], but he's not in any of his usual haunts, and he doesn't show up when you call his name. You start to consider giving up, and appropriately, that's when he makes his entrance, lazily slipping into view from behind a rock while stretching his legs and making it very clear how much he cares about your summons.

Dolores seems enchanted. [say:That's quite a lovely cat. I've always wondered if we could keep a pet... What's its name?] You tell her, but include along with it a warning of the fickle nature of felines, which she just brushes off.

The two of you approach the lounging cat as he licks himself, and he seems not to mind, thankfully. In fact he's exceedingly docile as Dolores creeps up, offers her hand to his curious nose, and then starts to lightly pet him. He even purrs a bit, leaning into her fingers.

The young moth giggles. [say:Well aren't you a well-behaved gentleman.] She turns to you. [say:How were you able to find a cat this nice?]

You walk over to join the two, and [akky] immediately jumps up, hissing at you and scrambling for cover. You look at Dolores, and she shrugs. You [walk] on.


//Jojo
You see Jojo sitting in a meditative pose not too far away, so you lead Dolores over to him for an introduction. He keeps his eyes closed as you explain who your daughter is and your purpose in coming here, but opens them when you've finished, smiling at the moth.

[say:Ah, hello, young one,] he says serenely.

[say:Um, good [day],] she replies, looking a slight bit perturbed about something. There's a pregnant silence. [say:Might I ask what you're doing?]

[say:I am meditating. Would you care to join me? I don't sense a great deal of corruption within you, but it is helpful to center the spirit,] he replies, closing his eyes once again and raising his arms into the proper posture.

[say:To... center the spirit?]

[say:Yes.]

[say:And you do this by, uh, sitting?]

[say:Well, not just by sitting. It may not look like it, but it is a very involved process.]

Dolores wrinkles her nose. [say:I thank you for the kind offer, but, um... we were just on our way.]

She takes you by the arm and pulls lightly, hardly giving you the time to say farewell to Jojo before you're off to your next destination.


//Bath girl
You pass by [bathgirlname], and you don't plan on stopping, but Dolores slowly, gazing at her curiously. The dusky girl returns her stare, although her eyes are markedly more hazy. Your daughter just looks confused at first, but after a moment, something seems to click in her head as her eyes widen.

She gives you a harsh look. [say:Who exactly is she? Is that a [i:slave]?]

You usher her over to take a seat and explain the situation, telling her how this really is the best place for her, and that she had it no better before she came here. [if (reducto'd) {You've even given her back some of her faculties. }]With each word, your daughter's expression softens, and by the time you're done, she looks far more conflicted than before.

[say:I suppose... there are still things I haven't learned about how the world works.] She looks at [bathgirlname] again, but says no more. Eventually, you help her to her feet, and the two of you continue on, Dolores now having much more to think about.


//Harpy daughter
As you're [walking] along, a short screech is the only warning you have before a bundle of feathers nearly crashes into you. Dolores, despite being further from the point of impact, is even more startled than you, and her condition isn't helped any as a young, chirpy voice lets loose a torrent of questions.

[say:Hey, who're you? When'd you get here? Why are you with [Daddy]? Can I touch your hair? Why d'you got so many arms? Doesn't it get annoying having to wash your hands twice as much?]

The moth manages to hold back the harpy at arm's length, but she's having far more trouble answering any of the questions, until you step in and tell your other daughter the most important information. She listens with rapt attention, and when you're done, turns back towards Dolores.

[say:So can you fly?]

[say:Excuse me?]

[say:You've got those big wings back there, can you fly? Let's fly together!]

Your daughter colors a bit. [say:A-Ah, well... I can... technically fly, but…] She doesn't seem to know how to finish the sentence, but the young harpy doesn't mind, grabbing the moth's hands and with them, her attention.

[say:That's great! Let's go!]

[say:Whuh?] is all Dolores has time to ask before the little bird has rocketed upwards, dragging her along with a trailing shout. You're worried for a moment, but the young harpy is a surprisingly adept flier, and she's able to get Dolores stably hovering in the air over your head.

Against her will, your daughter is slowly coached on some flight basics as she's slowly, awkwardly led in lazy loops up above you. You watch with fascination as the harpy takes her time and gets Dolores at least somewhat up to speed, seeming to have a great deal of fun in the process. Before long, you can even catch the moth smiling too, as she finally manages to do a loop all on her own. This feat completely, the pair flutter back down to join you.

Dolores quickly rushes over and starts talking animatedly. [say:[Father], did you see that? Oh, it was wonderful, I felt the air in my hair, and I almost thought I would fall, but then I did it, and I—] She stops abruptly and calms down, her blush not able to fight the smile off her face.

You say goodbye to the harpy together as she shoots off into the sky once more, ready to face her own adventures just as you're about to do with Dolores.


//Conclusion, after everything else has been exhausted

The two of you have ended up taking a breather on a large, flat rock as Dolores rests her legs. Well, it's certainly been eventful showing her all of the sights to see around here. Things seemed to go well, but you'd like to know how she actually felt about being brought to this place. You ask Dolores what she thinks of your camp.

[say:Why, this is remarkable. I suppose I didn't know what your camp looked like, but it's amazing to think that you've built all this up yourself.] Her words don't sound like empty flattery, which is a nice refresher from how haughty she can be at times. As you watch your daughter serenely stretch her limbs with a gentle smile on her face, you feel an inexplicable sense of pride.

[say:Well, that was certainly quite memorable. Thank you for the experience, [Father], but I think it's about time we moved on.]

You don't disagree, so the two of you get up and start heading back the way you came.
//same options



[Marielle] //tooltip- You could visit the undead seamstress.

As you approach the sunken temple, you start to give Dolores a run-down of what—and who—you'll encounter there. While you're quite hampered in this explanation by the swarms of mosquitoes surrounding the place, they seem to oddly ignore the moth-girl entirely. Some sort of solidarity among insects?

Whatever the case, you manage to tell her about Marielle's profession and mortal status. Your daughter perks up at the mention of necromancy.

[say:I had no idea such things were possible. Interesting...]

Well, you're glad that at least one thing has piqued her curiosity. The two of you descend the stone steps leading into the temple, its cool, calming air already gracing your [skindesc].

[Next]

You reach the temple proper to see Marielle sitting at her desk and hunched over a dress spread out on its surface, apparently unaware of your entry as she meticulously works on the garment's hem.

Dolores seems interested in her unusual appearance, but she isn't making any moves either, so it seems you'll have to get the ball rolling. You take your daughter's hand and lead her over to the seamstress, who still doesn't look up until you clear your throat.

[say:Huh?] She jerks up from her work, clutching the needle in her hand for a second before relaxing and setting it down. [say:Oh, 'tis you, [name]. Ah... welcome,] Marielle says with a note of uncertainty as her eyes fall onto the young moth beside you.

You quickly introduce Dolores, explaining that she's your daughter, [if (silk done) {the one whose silk you once brought to Marielle|even if the two of you don't look very similar}]. For her part, Dolores doesn't add much to your description of her, and you think you can catch a slight hint of nervousness from her. When you finish, she steps forward, inclines her head slightly, and says, [say:Good [day]. How do you do, um... Marielle?]

The seamstress in question seems a little caught by surprise, but quickly remembers to spring up from her stool and drop into a neat curtsy. [say:Quite a, uhm, pleasure... Dolores.] She rights herself again and brushes a fallen strand of hair behind her ear. [say:So 'tis your daughter, [name]? What brings you hither?]

It's pleasantly surprising when Dolores speaks up before you're forced to. [say:We are, ah, going on a trip. [Father] is showing me around, as I feel it's high time that I become more worldly.] Dolores sniffs loftily and tilts her nose up, but Marielle only gives her a tentative smile and nods. [say:[He] suggested we come here. To see you.] She pauses, clearly lost as to how she should proceed. [say:So you... live here?]

[say:I see. I, ah... Quite, yes.] Marielle shifts awkwardly. [say:'Tis mine habitation indeed, at present.]

[say:Right... And, um... do you... like it?] Dolores is already blushing. Maybe you should have practiced small talk before coming here.

[say:I... suppose. Yes. Verily. 'Tis a... most reposeful fane.]

[say:Yes, a fane, of course...]

After this last word, the silence begins to stretch, with neither girl providing anything further. It seems like you might have to step in and suggest a topic yourself.

[Books] [Sewing] [Necromancy] [Four Arms] [Nothing]


> [Books] //tooltip- Maybe Dolores could share her love of literature?

You gently suggest to Dolores that she talk about her own interests—namely, reading. After all, Marielle seems like a cultured young woman, surely she likes books too.

[say:Ah, yes,] your daughter says with confidence, happy to be back in her comfort zone, [say:I almost don't know where to begin. Do you have any favorites? Oh, but I hate that question myself, it's always so hard to choose. I suppose that I like classical works the best; those old authors just had [i:something] that you can't find today. Oh, but listen to me go on like this. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you anything of the sort, you've clearly read [i:far] more than I have.]

[say:I...] Marielle appears unsure how to respond for a long moment, gazing at the young moth until she finally says, [say:You are... quite a perfervid reader, I see.] She then folds her hands and stares off into the distance to think. [say:Well, 'tis mayhap been far overlong since I have last held a book, but I have been something fond of, ah, poesy. But never have I been quite, ah, 'taken' by it.]

[say:Ah, so, those words... They weren't...] Dolores looks far more crushed than you'd expect, her eyes completely empty as Marielle looks on in silent worry. An indeterminate period of time passes, but there seems to be no change in the stifled atmosphere.

As you regard your near-catatonic daughter, you wonder where you went wrong.
//Merges below


> [Sewing] //tooltip- Marielle might be happy to talk about her interests.

You bring up the topic of sewing—something you know at least Marielle to be comfortable with—in hopes of rekindling the conversation.

[say:Hmm...] the seamstress begins, seeming a bit uncomfortable with being put on the spot like that. [say:I, well... 'Tis my vocation, but I suppose that much was evident. And I am... fond of it, yes, but 'twould be presumptuous of me to... well... soliloquize of it. I wish to bore you not.]

[say:Oh, no, it would be no trouble at all!] Dolores quickly responds. [say:Please, I've always wanted to know about... that...]

[say:Oh, hmm, well... uhm...] Marielle twiddles her many fingers. [say:Well, what, ah... know you of dressmaking? I must profess I am as a teacher ill-suited.]

[say:...Not much,] your daughter responds, her eyes finding the ground as her hands fiddle with her dress. It doesn't seem like she has anything else to add.

[say:I see,] she says, beginning to incorporate the tips of her hair in her nervous fidgeting. The silence stretches on for several moments, and you're becoming unsure that she'll find anything further to say.
//Merges below


> [Necromancy] //tooltip- Perhaps Marielle could tell Dolores a bit about the process that resulted in her current state?

Dolores lights up when you bring up the topic of necromancy, but Marielle on the other hand seems less than delighted at this suggestion.

[say:Well, I,] the seamstress begins, [say:[if (talked about father>necromancy) {I have told you afore, have I not? }]I know but little of the thaumaturgy that, ah... succors me, so I am afeard I cannot avail you, should you quest such arcane wisdom.]

You don't have much to say to that, so you turn to Dolores. The smile on her face looks somewhat forced, and it's almost as if you can see the gears turning behind her eyes as she tries to process these words. [say:I, ah, right.] Luckily, a fresh wave of confidence seems to buoy her onward. [say:I suppose not everyone could understand such advanced magic.]

However, she immediately catches herself. [say:N-Not that I mean any offense by that. It's just—] Her eyes open wide, and she looks truly panicked. [say:...A complicated subject,] she finally finishes, her head drooping in defeat.

[say:'Tis... quite all right, none was taken,] Marielle assures your daughter, pushing up her glasses a little before folding her many hands. [say:Magic I can cast none anywise. 'Twould be no behoof to me to, ah, fathom its depths.]

The young moth opens her mouth to respond, but it just hangs there for a few moments before closing again. It seems this conversation may have been doomed from the start.
//Merge below


> [Four Arms] //tooltip- Well, it's something they share in common, right?

They both have four arms; that's something in common, right? Surely there is a conversation to be had here, so you bring the topic up.

The seamstress just looks at you in confusion, but Dolores desperately latches onto the subject like a drowning woman would a life preserver. [say:Th-That's right! It's, um, I...] She falters for a moment, but then you can almost see a light appear over her head as her eyes flicker upwards. [say:Oh, isn't it just awful to try to sleep on your side? They always jab me in my... or, I mean, um...] The steam having left her, Dolores clams up.

[say:Quite so.] Even Marielle seems aware of how tense the moth is, although that insight seems to help her very little. [say:Thankfully, my... nature allows me disjoint them.] She spreads the lower pair, but doesn't pull the same stunt she did with you on your second meeting. Dolores's eyes widen a bit, and she does look intrigued, though she manages no actual response, and with that, the conversation peeters out once more.

Maybe you should have thought of a better topic of discussion.
//Merges below


> [Nothing] //tooltip- You have nothing to fill the void in this conversation

The awkward silence stretches on, but you do nothing to stop it. It's not up to you to fight your daughter's battles; she [if (cor < 50) {needs to learn for herself how to have these interactions|should be able to solve her own problems}].

But even so, it does start to get somewhat painful in very short order. Every once in a while, one of the two will glance at the other, and sometimes a mouth will even open, but no more subjects of conversation come forth.

You're starting to think this may have been a bad idea from the outset.

//All merge here

However, just as you're losing hope, you notice Marielle's eyes shift over the young moth's clothing as she lets out a small [say:hmm], a slight frown forming on her face. Apparently drawn in by something she discovers there, she starts to circle around Dolores's side, intently examining the fabric as the moth stands stock-still with embarrassment.

[say:This dress,] she says, addressing Dolores without looking up at her, [say:pray tell, whence procured you it?]

[say:Ah, yes, well... It was just something I found in an old room in our home. Mother[if (female) {]—she glances at you—[say:[if (isnaked) {both of them, actually|my other mother, that is}],}] isn't much of one for wearing clothes, so I just... found something myself.]

[say:I see.] The seamstress takes a step back and folds her arms in thought. [say:Prithee think it no insult, but 'tis rather, ah... unfitting.]

Dolores perks up, the blush on her face fading. [say:Is that so? I suppose I'd never thought about it... How can you tell?]

[say:A tailor's eye is a keen one. May I?] She extends her hands in question, prompting a small nod from the young moth. Running her fingers over the fabric of your daughter's dress and making her increasingly uncomfortable with each grazing movement over the girl's ribs, she quickly locates several areas where the garment is evidently too wide for her petite form and promptly bunches the excess cloth up in demonstration.

[say:I-I see, that's um...] She gulps. [say:I can definitely see what you mean, so...] She doesn't seem to be capable of asking exactly what she wants, but Marielle eventually notices where her hands are and colors, jerking away to give her back her dignity.

[say:Oh! I, ah... My apologies, [if (silly) {n-no homo|I meant not to}]...]

There's a momentary silence, and you're briefly worried that the conversation might die out again. However, Dolores manages to power through her embarrassment, asking, [say:So... would you be able to, um... help me with that?]

[say:Of course!] Marielle exclaims a little too hastily, her voice cracking. [say:I mean, of course. 'Twould be a facile thing. I but need, ah...]

[say:Ah]—she stumbles a bit when she realizes what she just did, but continues nonetheless—[say:y-you would need my dress, of course. Um... is there anywhere I could wait while you work?]

[say:Oh, you may...] Trailing off, the seamstress turns and rummages through her boxes, coming up with a dress remarkably similar to Dolores's own. [say:Well, 'tis, ah...] She doesn't finish that, and instead hands Dolores the garment. [say:I cannot have you await... unclad.]

[say:Oh, thank you, that's—] She pauses for a moment when the dress enters her hands, marveling at it. [say:Ah, it's so soft...] The moth-girl suddenly looks up, coming back to her senses. [say:Yes, thank you, I will... change. But, do you mind turning around?] She shifts to look in your direction. [say:You too, if you would.]

The two of you give her some privacy, and in short order she's changed out of her old dress and passed it over to Marielle. The seamstress has already picked out a fitting thread and measures your daughter's sizes, much to her added embarrassment, before getting to work.

[say:'Twill be but a moment.]

[Next]

It's indeed not long before Marielle seems to have finished the dress and hands it back to Dolores, who prompts you both to turn away once more as she gets re-dressed.

[say:Well?] you hear the undead girl ask, and you turn back around to see Dolores spreading her dress with her hands. [say:Be there aught amiss? Pray tell, should it be so.]

Without a word, she lets go and does a quick twirl, showing off the now-fitted dress. [say: It feels... wonderful. Much better than before.] She looks down at it warmly, lightly stroking the fabric. [say:I never knew proper tailoring could make such a difference.] She looks up with a smile. [say:Thank you, Marielle.]

The seamstress does a small curtsy, saying, [say:Quite a pleasure. All is well, then? Very good, very good...] She scrutinizes the dress for a moment longer and takes a few steps around Dolores, but evidently ends up being pleased with her own result.

[say:Um,] the moth starts, still a bit hesitant, but far less timid than before, [say:would it be possible to perhaps, ah... order a dress from you? I haven't really given much thought to my clothing before, but seeing all this here, it's...] She doesn't quite finish the thought, instead giving Marielle an entreating look.

[say:Oh, certainly,] Marielle says, happily [if (silly) {rubbing|clasping}] her hands together. [say:I fashion ladies' attire of all varieties, bespoke or no, and if you be in want of aught, you need but ask.] She pauses for a moment. [say:Well, alas, 'twill not be, ah... costless.]

Dolores confidently responds, [say:Oh, that's not a problem. My mother has provided me with gems that I haven't ever had the opportunity to use.] She pauses and blinks. [say:So, ah, I can see you again?] she finishes, a tad flustered. You realize that this is probably the first time she's ever asked a question like that.

Marielle herself takes a second more to answer, glancing to the side and blinking a bit too often. [say:I... If you so wish. You shall be, ah, most welcome. Dolores.]

[say:Great. [i: Marielle].] She giggles a bit here, and the knowledge that they've finally hit it off puts many worries to rest. The three of you exchange cordial goodbyes before you finally exit the temple with your daughter in tow.

As you step out into the tepid bog, Dolores turns to you and says, [say:Why, you should have told me you had such an astute acquaintance. I don't know how she knows all those...] She trails off, peering into the distance with a searching look until she notices that you can still see her. [say:Ahem. Right, well, where to next, [Father]?]
//Same options



[Bazaar] //tooltip- Where better to become \"worldly\"?

As you traverse the endless seas of grass that make up the plains, you tell your daughter to watch out for danger, as it often comes unexpected in this place. Despite seeming relatively open, they could be hiding any manner of threat just waiting for either of you to drop their guard.

But even the plains have nothing on your destination. You make sure that Dolores is fully prepared for what she should expect to see in the Bazaar, and some of the expressions she makes as you describe it make you doubt whether this is the best idea, but she wanted a breadth of experience, and there's probably no better place to acquire that than there.

And before you know it, the motley collection of tents and carts looms in the distance. The towering gatekeeper gives you a nod as you pass by, and the two of you are soon in the middle of the [if (hours < 12) {morning|[if (hours < 18) {midday|evening}]}] bustle, a cacophony of sounds, colors, and smells immediately washing over you.

Your daughter is stunned, her mouth slightly agape and her eyes as wide as saucers as she takes in the unfamiliar scene. Maybe this really is too much for her, but just as you start to reconsider this idea, she starts to drift forward, her eyes still dreamy. You follow quickly, a bit concerned for her safety. You can only sigh as you realize that none of your earlier advice seems to have reached her, but everything seems to be going well enough for the moment, so you keep your complaints to yourself.

For her part, Dolores seems to delight in taking in the sights, though she's still a bit too shy to interact with anybody. You make sure to keep any undesirables from getting too close, ensuring that your daughter knows nothing but wonder as she examines this exotic world, so unfamiliar to her.

[Next]

//if you've met Telly, otherwise skip this section
On a passing whim, you decide to bring her to the shop of the Alice confectioner you've become acquainted with. After all, even if she is a growing girl, she's still your daughter. When the moth catches sight of the small, pastel-pink wagon, her eyes flash almost imperceptibly, but her demure mask soon returns.

You ask her if she'd like to go inside, and after a moment of contemplation—though you're not sure if her curved brow and pouted lips are just for show—she nods, and the two of you enter together. The small store feels a touch cramped with this many people inside of it, but as always, the proprietor, currently leaning on her counter and staring off into the distance, manages to brighten the place considerably.

When she notices your arrival, she perks up and begins to give her usual greeting. [say: Welcome back to Telly's Toys & Treats! I'm Te— Oh, another customer!] Telly zips out from behind the counter with uncanny swiftness and latches onto your daughter's hand, shaking it vigorously. [say: I'm Telly, I sell toys and treats! I love all my customers just the same, so pick out whatever your heart desires! As long as you can pay for it.]

[say:A-Ah, yes, thank you...] Dolores looks around nervously, seeming desperate to shift the attention away from her. [say:I-I see you have... many interesting... baubles, here. Tell me, are they all simply toys?]

[say:What do you mean, Miss?]

[say:Well, are they, um, all just for show? I wouldn't think a store could get by just selling such frivolous things in this world.]

Telly gives her a stern look. [say:Miss, toymaking is serious business. And I should know, I'm an experienced businessalice.] With that, she smiles once again and returns to her counter, where she starts to hum and doodle what you think are flowers.

Dolores seems embarrassed by this exchange, but you suggest that she buy something, and she quickly takes to it. The young moth peruses the sweets on offer for a moment, quickly settling on a hard candy wrapped in gaudy paper. She brings it up to Telly and fishes a small handful of gems out of her bag.

However, as Telly takes the proffered currency, she suddenly gasps, her eyes going wide. [say:Miss, do you know what this means?] Without waiting for an answer, she continues, [say:You've just qualified for our first-time customer special promotion!]

Dolores looks utterly befuddled, but she has no time to work anything out before the Alice has hopped down from the counter and rushed over to her, immediately throwing her arms around the poor moth. Your daughter is hugged rigorously and thoroughly, and by the time Telly releases her, you're not sure if she's going to be able to stay on her feet.

[say:Alright, the first one was free, but if you want any more, it's gonna cost ya,] the little demon says as she ambles back over to her workplace and sits down on her stool. She then gives the moth a warm smile. [say: But since you're such a nice customer, Miss, I really hope you do come back for another!]

You thank Telly and pull Dolores out by her arm, hoping that the fresh air will do her some good. She seems to master her emotions fairly quickly once you're back in the open, which is a relief. As you're starting to head off once again, you notice her surreptitiously slipping the candy out of its wrapper and popping it into her mouth.

[Next]

Eventually, the two of you pass by a clothing stand. The pieces on offer don't look particularly special, but they're not overly risqué either, and this seems like one of the more normal shops around, so you tell Dolores that she should pick out something she likes. She quickly takes to it, sorting through the offerings with a surprising amount of gusto. You suppose that the large influx of new things to discover must be overriding her usual embarrassment.

After some time, you hear a gasp from her direction and turn around to see her rushing off to a nearby changing tent and disappearing before you can get a good look at what she's picked. You wait outside for several minutes, but a telltale waver of the tent flap soon heralds her exit.

The first thing you see is a swath of blue fabric floating out from the tent, quickly followed by the rest of your young daughter. She's swathed in a flowing azure robe, sprinkled with bright yellow stars. It's all fashioned from one piece of cloth, and it seems just a tad too small for her—it must have been designed for children. But the best part is when her head finally comes into view, as she's even managed to find a tall, pointy hat to go along with it.

[say:[Father]! Look at this! He said it was for real wizards, isn't it lovely?]

She strikes a pose that she probably thinks is wizardly, before once again realizing that she's in a public place. [say:Ah, um, I... I'll just...] She quickly rushes right back into the tent, soon returning in her original garb, but with the new robe still tucked under her arm. She starts to make a move towards where she got it from...

[Buy It] [Let Her]


[Buy It] //tooltip- If she likes it, who are you to crush her dreams? Requires 30 gems, disabled tooltip- You don't have enough gems.
Before Dolores can reach wherever she picked it out from, you rush over to her and take her by the arm. She protests the whole way over to the shopkeeper, a short, elderly lizard-morph with a flat cap. He glances up at your arrival, but barely reacts when you present the robe. He does, however, grin a bit when you pull out the requisite number of gems and hand them over, quickly counting them before giving you a nod and returning to the book he was reading beforehand.

Dolores looks fairly flustered when you give her the robes, but still stows them in her bag, a slight smile managing to poke through her mortified mask.

[say:Th-Thank you, [Father],] she manages to stutter out. The two of you quickly return to sightseeing, Dolores trying her best to move past this episode.
//Merges below


[Let Her] //tooltip- Don't stop her from returning the robe.
Dolores quickly picks out the spot she took it from and places the robe back where it belongs, proceeding to return to your side. A slight blush is the only evidence that anything happened at all, though she does look maybe a bit disappointed.

[say:L-Let's be on our way...] she mutters, barely loud enough for you to hear. The young moth looks like she'd rather forget about this completely, so the two of you move on with sightseeing.


//Merge
Your trip through the Bazaar continues on for some time, your daughter now far more subdued in her curious exploration. She seems far more aware of the seedier elements of the market than before, wrinkling her nose at some of the more odious sights on offer, but all is not lost, as you do occasionally catch her staring with open wonder at some heretofore unknown treasure, apparently waiting here just for her.

The only incident of note is a particularly public display of love between a gaudily dressed prostitute and a desperate-looking cat-morph. They're going at it quite roughly, with little concern for class or decency, and Dolores quickly covers her face, her blush extending far beyond what's hidden by her fingers. A loud moan signals the conclusion of the romance, and you usher your daughter off down a side alley, away from the indecency on display.

[if (silly) {However, you do manage to catch a fleeting snippet of their conversation. Oddly, the John appears to be upset about something, as his loud protestation can attest. [say:No, I told you, I hate finishing! Just wait until I tell Fen about this!] You shudder and continue down the alley.}]

When you're far enough away, you stop to allow Dolores to catch her breath. This much walking has taken a bit out of her, so it's a fair bit before she's able to talk again without panting. Yet, as you watch your daughter slowly calm herself once again, you can't help but feel some sense of satisfaction.

[say:Ah, thank you, [Father], but perhaps we should leave now. This was certainly an... enlightening experience, but I think I've seen all I need to.] She shivers slightly. [say:Or perhaps all I should...]

Whatever the case, the two of you swiftly return to the Bazaar gates, leaving behind the colorful—in all senses of the word—marketplace.
//same options



[Tel'Adre Library] //tooltip- Seems like a place she'd want to visit.

The trip through the desert is thankfully free of [attacks], if a bit boring, so you start to tell your daughter of Tel'Adre on the way. Before long, you sense the telltale signs of the barrier and are then across it, the hidden city immediately coming into sight in front of you. A quick check with the gate guards confirms that Dolores is fit to enter the city, and then you're in, ready to see all the sights on offer.

But you had a particular sight in mind, so, after she's gotten over her initial surge of curiosity, you tell your daughter that there's a library further into the town, one of impressive size. You had her with the first half, and by the second, she's downright giddy, however much she tries to hide it.

You lead the moth further along, guiding her safely through the crowded streets. She attracts many stares, probably due to how unfamiliar she is, but doesn't notice it at all, seeming to be in a world of her own. This place is pretty unlike the rest of the world, so you can't blame her. Standing buildings, happy families, a [if (silly) {(disgusting)|living}] community—all things you don't think she's seen before.

And finally, you arrive at the imposing tower the library is housed in. Dolores cranes her neck upwards, stumbling a little bit when her gaze reaches its apex. She's so enamored that she doesn't even make a move for the door, only following you inside once you tug on her arm. But soon, the two of you are inside of Tel'Adre's library, among the cluttered stacks of books and scrolls.

The librarian, Quinn, is here as always. His head is slumping over, and it looks like he's about to fall asleep, but as your daughter steps closer, his eyes shoot open with mild surprise. Upon seeing her inhuman attributes, he immediately scowls[if (furfag) {, his frown only deepening when he turns to you|, his expression not changing much when he sees you}].

[say:What?] he says, the word dripping with venom.

[say:E-Excuse us,] she starts, her earlier excitement now full converted into nervousness, [say:but, um, I was wondering if, ah, the library...] She trails off, withering under his tired stare.

[say:So what? You want to "peruse" my collection? I can assure you that it wouldn't cater to the interests of [i:your] kind,] he retorts. [say:And most of the ones that you'd find the least bit titillating are...] He looks away. [say:...Are already stuck together...]

The moth just blinks in confusion. [say:Well, I, ah, can't speak to the sanitary habits of your usual patrons, but I [i:can] assure you that I would never harm a book like that.] Her tone is a lot more confident and earnest as she continues. [say:I can see that this place has taken a lot of time and effort; it's very commendable.]

His expression softens the slightest fraction. [say:Well, the library is closed to the public for the foreseeable future. Why should I make an exception for you?]

Her eyes drop to the floor. [say:I suppose there's no real reason.] The silence stretches for a long while, the librarian pointedly not looking in either of your directions. Finally, Dolores glances up, casting a wistful glance at the shelves. [say:It's just much nicer than what we have at home...]

[say:At home?] The fatigue drops from his voice immediately as his head perks up. [say:Do you mean to say that you have some sort of collection?]

Your daughter is a bit flustered, but manages to respond. [say:Yes, well, it's nowhere near the size of this one, but I believe it's been in my family for quite some time. I, ah, suppose that must be rare in these times...]

[say:Quite,] he says, more eager than you've ever seen him. [say:And you say that some of these items may be from quite some time before the invasion? I would be very interested in seeing—] He suddenly stops, seeming to realize the hypocrisy. [say:That is, perhaps we should, hmm... establish some sort of correspondence. It would be simply criminal to let this opportunity slip by.]

He gives a sage nod, arises from his chair, and ushers Dolores over towards the nearest stack. Over the next half-hour or so, he outlines the general organization and contents of the library, inserting frequent complaints about the citizenry while doing so. Some of it certainly goes over your head, but your daughter listens with rapt attention throughout. The two get along surprisingly well; it's almost heartwarming, in a way.

But eventually, you know that it's time to go. You nearly have to drag Dolores away, neither her nor the ill-humored librarian wanting to break it off just yet. You're finally able to get her through the door, though she continues rambling excitedly even when it's just the two of you.

You're almost back at the city gates when she suddenly stops and says, [say:Ah, [Father], you have to bring me back some time! There's a lot more to discuss, and he brought up the possibility of an exchange.]

//Same options



[Circe] //tooltip- She's probably the most knowledgeable mage you know.

The crag is far too dangerous to take your daughter to unprepared, so as you journey over, you make sure that she knows of all of the potential threats, as well as the generally hostile environment. Your daughter seems to take all this seriously, taking in your advice with no complaints.

However, as the landscape around you starts to become more barren and [craggy] and the atmosphere gets increasingly muggy, you notice a surprising lack of danger around you. This is itself almost more unnerving than if a demon were to simply leap out at you, but you don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth.

As a result of the relative peace, you're quite surprised when a lurching feeling in your stomach is the only warning you get before you're suddenly in another place entirely. You've already experienced this beforehand, so you're not too worried, until you turn to check on your daughter only to find that she's not there.

[say: As far as I remember, I didn’t extend an invitation to just anyone you know, [name].]

You turn your face towards the source of the voice. Circe is getting the last few touches on her makeup done, eyes slightly turned towards you as she talks. She pauses for a moment, analyzes herself on the mirror, and gets up, turning to face you. She immediately notices you’re distressed over your missing partner, which quickly turns her gaze slightly more sympathetic.

[say: Hmm. Who exactly is it that you've brought along?]

You explain to her that the person you were just forced to leave alone in the volcanic crag is actually your daughter, and that you would very much like her back with you. Circe notes your reaction, her expression noticeably mellowing at the mention of family.

[say: Oh, very well then. You should warn me of these things in advance, you know.]

You try to tell her you didn’t really have an opportunity to, but before you can finish your sentence, Dolores appears next to you, covered in a quickly vanishing blue mist. Her eyes are wide, and you can tell that she's doing her best not to hyperventilate, but upon seeing you, she noticeably relaxes.

[say: [Father]! I was so worried, I didn't know where you were. In fact, where are we?]

[say: You are in my chambers, little m—]

Circe stops talking suddenly, her voice trailing off with an uncharacteristic squeak. After a brief silence, you start to introduce Dolores, but then notice that the sorceress has moved back to her vanity. You approach her, keeping her personal space in mind, but she quickly averts her gaze, leaving you with nothing but a mass of fiery red hair to talk to.

[say: I missed a spot. We can talk while I fix it.] She says, voice trembling lightly.

Strange, but you oblige anyway, telling her how Dolores is your daughter and how she has more than a passing interest in magic. You say that Circe is the most competent sorceress you've met so far, and since Dolores hasn't had anything approaching official training, she might have a thing or two to teach her.

[say: Yes. I am a sorceress. I know... I know a lot,] she says, being unusually brief. [say: I could teach you a lot too.]

You hear the sound of nails repeatedly hitting the wooden vanity. Circe remains silent, so Dolores takes the opportunity to speak up. [say: Ah, well, yes. I would indeed appreciate that. But, um... would you be able to be a bit more specific?] She takes a step forward while saying this, and you can see Circe flinch.

Circe takes a deep breath, holding it in for a few seconds before beginning to speak at a feverish pace. [say: Most standard applications of black and white magic along with advanced usage of the arcana for the purposes of conjuration, as well as attribution of animus into inanimate objects, manipulation of various natural forces in a way that would be considered at least intermediate for any average ranked wizard in one of the old clans, something which of course I am not particularly proud of, but is still rare in this age, so I don't think it should—] She suddenly notices her aimless ramble and stops.

The young moth blinks. [say: Ah... huh. Yes, that sounds... like quite something.] She looks around at the cave walls for a moment. Her eyes narrow, and she turns back towards Circe, who is now staring pointedly at her lap. [say: You are, of course, an experienced mage. I'm sure that I, a lowly novice, couldn't compare, but would you mind giving me some small demonstration?]

Circe shakes her head. [say: I’m a sorceress. I don’t just conjure party tricks for anyone that asks.] Her head doesn’t move an inch.

Dolores just smirks. [say: Oh, of course, of course. I understand that someone of your stature]—she starts to walk closer to Circe, and you can see the sorceress visibly tense up—[say: would find this a terrible inconvenience, but if I could simply importune you for a moment, I would be ever so grateful.] She now stands right behind the older woman's chair. [say: Why, even a little flicker of light. Surely—]

Dolores vanishes in the blink of an eye. Circe takes another deep breath immediately afterwards, swiftly getting up from her chair and pacing wildly around the chamber.

[say: A novice?! A [b: novice]?! She doesn’t have any idea what it even means to be a novice! By Marae, asking for a \“demonstration\”? Who does she think she is? She almost touched me with her thin, chitiny arms! I’ll give her a demonstration alright, I’ll show her whitefire so strong that she’ll]—She stops and goes silent. After another deep breath, she talks again, her voice a lot calmer, but still noticeably distressed. [say: I don’t usually have two guests at once, [name]. I thought I was alone.]
You ask her where the hell your daughter is. Most hosts don't go teleporting their guests around, and for that matter, she's been acting strange for a while now. You demand an explanation.

[say: The chitin, [name].]

You say that’s not an explanation at all. She sighs.

[say: The chitin, the little membranes, the weird antennae, the bizarre eyes, and the weird fur that isn’t actually fur. It’s just too much.]

Is she—the most powerful sorceress you've met, someone who plays with the very fabric of reality—not good with bugs?

She regains her composure and turns to you again. [say: I’ll just remind you to watch your words, [name]. The only reason your daughter isn’t a pile of ash right now is because, well, she’s your daughter. Yes, I was never good with bugs. I've also never had contact with a giant bug that talked. A bit rough for me.]

She sits down on her usual chair at the center of her chamber. You notice a glass filled with wine floating towards her. She carefully grasps it and downs its content in one large gulp. She drags a hand across her face, sighing over her lost composure.

[say: So many things you could have fucked, [name]. By Marae.]

You begin to ask her to just bring your daughter back already, but before you can finish your sentence, you hear a deep, distorted sound behind you. You turn around to see your daughter delivered safely, though much the worse for wear. Her eyes look almost hollow, and her teeth chatter as she hugs herself tightly.

[say: I want to go home,] she says, barely above a whisper. [say: I want to go home, Mommy.] When you approach her, it takes a moment for recognition to flicker in her eyes, but when it does, the color returns to her face, and she starts to look a lot better. [say: " + player.mf("F-Father", "M-Mother") + "? Is it... Am I back?]

[Next] (?)

You pull your daughter into a brief embrace before turning towards Circe, ready to give her a piece of your mind, but before you can start, Dolores suddenly speaks up, her voice still trembling a bit. [say: Y-You did that? No, of course you did that, but...] Despite the trauma still etched on her face, you can see a passion burning there, one that allows her to continue despite everything. [say: That was... amazing! Why, I don't know if I've ever seen anything quite like it...]

Circe looks away from the moth, still somewhat unable to face her phobia. She then looks at you, sighs again, and makes another effort at looking at Dolores in her eyes. She’s mildly successful.

[say: Most likely not. I’ve read of ancient wizards that were so skilled in the art of apportation that they could transfer themselves or anyone else to or from any location in Mareth. Such arts are most likely lost, and I personally can only manage a limited range through the enchanted runes in this chamber.]

She briefly diverts her gaze from Dolores. [say: I’d say it’s still pretty good, for something I had to teach myself.]

Your daughter responds enthusiastically, not missing a beat. [say: I would certainly agree. I haven't seen anything like that in any of the books I've come across, but to have mastered it to such a degree that you could still do it while under such pre— Ah, I mean... at will, yes. It's impressive,] she finishes, looking just a tad bit bashful.

[say: Yes, impressive,] Circe says, noting the fumble but moving past it gracefully. [say: Well, I know I was... rude before, but now that I’ve shown you what I can do, could you do the same?] You notice Circe wave a hand into a spell, a move so subtle it’s nearly imperceptible. If you were to guess, she probably temporarily removed the wards preventing Dolores from casting spells. Certainly a bold move for someone as cautious as her, which means she either trusts your daughter, or thinks she isn’t capable as a mage.

The moth-girl just blushes in response, looking to the side and seeming to consider how to proceed. She seems to alight upon an idea, bringing her hands together and closing her eyes to concentrate. A soft purple glow surrounds her twelve fingers, and though Circe seems loath to look at them, she can't resist as the air starts to thrum with energy.

She shifts her hands subtly, and the energy seems to coalesce around a nearby candle. Before your very eyes, the candle starts to shrink, the wax beginning to melt quicker and quicker until it withers away to nothing. The flame dies out, the strange purple glow dissipates, and your daughter drops her arms, looking somewhat fatigued by the endeavor.

[say: Ah, well, there you have it. I'm still practicing, but I've managed to create localized fields wherein time flows differently. I haven't quite figured out how to modulate the effect, and the process is still quite taxing, but it seems promising...] she says, somewhat tentatively.

Circe narrows her eyes, apprehension and curiosity evident on her face. [say: Yes… very. That’s a school of magic that few have managed to even dabble in. Warping time has immense potential for disaster. Are you aware of this?] She briefly looks at you, signalling the question is also aimed at your person, even if she only expects an actual answer from Dolores.

[say: Y-Yes!] she replies. [say: I, ah, have certainly learned my fair share about the... hazards of using magic too carelessly. I've been very careful in my... Well, I suppose you could call it experimentation.] She glances back up at Circe, a sliver of hope burning in her eyes. The sorceress shakes her head lightly.

[say: Dolores, is it alright if I talk to your [dad] in private?] the sorceress says, her expression a bit guarded.

Your daughter nods meekly, and Circe leads her over to a nearby bookshelf, pointing out a few volumes of interest. She even pulls one out, but then blanches for a moment before turning her head and floating it over in the moth's direction. Dolores retrieves the levitating book and takes to it well enough, leaving the two of you alone for whatever Circe wanted to talk about. You ask her what that is.

[say: [name], I don’t know how she learned this kind of magic, but you need to understand something. Manipulating time was something even the old wizards couldn’t properly comprehend. And the little they did was enough to classify it as forbidden. That she can control it at all is amazing, but I can’t say I’m comfortable with a mortal playing with it, nevermind a child.]

[Agree] [Brush Off] [Hypocrisy] [Remain Silent]


[Agree] //tooltip- It's a fair point, given that you don't really know what your daughter could do.
This magic did indeed cause some unpredictable problems in the past, and as you know no more about it now than back then, it would be prudent to not let your daughter go too far. You tell Circe that you will definitely heed her advice, and the sorceress smiles.

[say:Lovely. I knew you would be able to see the wisdom in my words; I can only hope that you'll be ready to heed it when the time comes.]

The two of you share a brief nod before you call your daughter back over.


[Brush Off] //tooltip- You're not really worried about that at all.
You don't really care about this all too much. After all, the last time problems came up, you solved them, so what's the big deal. You give Circe a fairly non committal response, and her eyes narrow a bit.

[say: I hope I am impressing upon you the full gravity of this situation. I'm not sure that you know the extent of the potential consequences should this get out of hand.] She huffs but, seeing that your expression hasn't changed, does nothing more. After a few more moments of silence, the sorceress calls your daughter back over.


[Hypocrisy] //Circe has experimented with a great number of dangerous things—who is she to give this kind of advice?
You tell her she’s being rather hypocritical, considering she has in the past espoused her willingness to go beyond what other modern wizards would find “orthodox”. You make sure to specifically mention the corruption coursing through her body.

Her eyes immediately narrow in anger, her tone turning much more threatening. [say: I say that exactly because of what I have researched. It’s not hypocrisy, it’s experience. Besides, comparing my experiments to a child’s first steps towards magic is insulting, if not idiotic.]

She briefly looks towards Dolores again, somewhat aware of her sudden outburst at you. The girl doesn’t seem to have noticed anything, or if she did, she hides it pretty well. Circe takes a deep breath and faces you again, her visage a lot calmer now.

[say: I don’t mean to challenge your authority as a [father], [name], but please understand that she’s playing with forces she can’t possibly fully comprehend. And for that matter, neither can you.]

You ask her if she thinks [i:she] can, in a respecting but inquisitive tone. She looks away briefly before looking deep into your eyes.

[say: I... I don’t know. But I know how to be properly cautious before researching such things.]

The tension between the two of you quickly fades, and Circe calls your daughter back.

[Remain Silent] //tooltip- Say nothing.
Rather than respond, you simply hold her gaze for a few moments, your face impassive. Circe sniffs and turns away, and the two of you stay like this for a few tense moments until your daughter wanders back over.


//merge
Dolores drifts back over, her eyes betraying no hint that she heard any of that. [say:Ah, thank you for the recommendation. I wasn't sure at first if—]

Circe holds up a hand to interject, and then asks as gently as possible, [say: Where exactly did you learn of that magic?]

The moth blinks. [say:Well... I, uh, read about it in a book.] Upon seeing Circe's eyes narrow, she quickly clarifies, [say:Ah, in a book I found in our collection. It was written in a script I couldn't find anywhere else, so I had to attempt deciphering it first. I believe my mother said that it was one of [i:her] father's possessions...]

Circe looks down, as if attempting to recall something. [say: Figures a mage would have hidden himself away somewhere remote, especially if he had knowledge like this. Where was it that you say you live?]

[say:I-In the bog. A cave.]

Circe wracks her brain attempting to remember something specific, but quickly gives up. [say: Curious, I have no recollection of any writings or journals about mages secluding themselves to the bog. Tell me, do you know if there are more books or similar artefacts in that region?] Circe’s eyes are lit with curiosity, her desire for more knowledge clearly overwhelming her restraint towards the girl.

[say: Well, not really. Or at least, none that I know of...] She looks up. [say: Do you not know already? I would imagine that someone like you would be travellling the world all the time...]

Circe’s expression quickly turns anxious. [say: Well, there are a lot of books to read here. Once you settle in, it gets a bit difficult to… leave. The world outside just isn’t so comfortable, these days.]

You're prepared for an awkward silence, but to your surprise, Dolores responds quickly and eagerly. [say: I understand what you mean completely.] She shoots you a glance. [say: I just don't understand how some people can live their lives gallivanting about, never settling in.] Her eyes wander across the various bookshelves, magical artifacts, and other wonders that adorn her home. [say: If I had somewhere this nice, I would never leave. And it's so dry here, too...]

After this last comment, she clams up a bit, but Circe is quick to extend a hand to rest on Dolores’ shoulder. She hesitates for a moment, her phobia still weighing on her a bit, but gathers enough courage and continues with the gesture.

[say: Hey, magic isn’t all about doing amazing things to the world around you. Sometimes you can just… use it to make your room nicer.] Circe sighs, aware of how awkward that sounded. [say: And also, don't speak too poorly of people like your [father]. Those sorts can be useful, after all. How would I get all these books without some of the more... eccentric among us to collect them for me?]

[say: Right,] Dolores says, smiling coyly. Circe's expression seems to have softened a great deal, and though the silence lasts for a few moments, it doesn't feel uncomfortable at all. Eventually, your daughter turns to you and asks, [say: Ah, [Father], should we be on our way soon?] Her eyes flit over to the sorceress. [say: I would hate to impose...]

You have been here for some time, and you know that Circe is a somewhat private person, so that sounds good. You say your goodbyes to her, and she even manages to briefly meet Dolores's eyes as she waves goodbye.

//If Jeremy
Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Jeremiah resting next to the wall, nestled between two bookshelves. At your glance, he perks up a bit, raising a hand in response to your own. Your daughter looks a bit confused about why you're waving to a statue, and even more confused when she notices it waving back, but you tell her that you'll explain on the way home.

Without further ado, Circe makes a gesture, and the two of you are instantly transported back to the crag. The sweltering heat hits you directly, making you already miss the relative serenity of the coven. However, Dolores doesn't look one bit disheartened, the smile from earlier still plastered on her face.

[say:Oh, to think that someone like that is still out here...] She turns to you. [say:I can only hope that I can get there some day.]

She shocks you by pulling you into a brief hug, but her arms quickly retract, and the blush on her face makes it clear that there won't be any further discussion. The only thing left is to trek back through the blasted landscape towards a more agreeable locale.

//same options



[Outdoor Sex] //tooltip- It might not be the exact type of experience she's looking for, but you think it would be enlightening.
As you lead your daughter onwards, you do your best to make sure she's calm and comfortable. After all, she's very out of her element here, and you wouldn't want to give her any undue shocks, not to mention that this is meant to be a special outing just for her. But you know an excellent way you can make it that much more special, something you've had in mind ever since she brought up this trip.

However, you need a suitable spot. You've been traveling for long enough that you've wandered into a wooded area, the ground a lot firmer than in the bog you came from, but something still doesn't feel quite right. You don't want to do this just anywhere—you want to choose a place that'll make this something to remember. And as soon as you have this thought, you happen upon it.

It's a small glade with a thick wall of trees around it. The surrounding cover is dense enough that you doubt any prying eyes could actually find you, but the clearing is sufficiently large to still give a thrilling sense of openness. And across from you is a particularly broad, stout trunk that's already giving you ideas. Yes, this place is more than suitable.

You turn to your daughter and give her a look that causes a blush to rise to her face, but if she's guessed your plans, she shows no sign of it. Without a word, you hastily lead her over to the tree you spotted, the thought of doing something like this in the middle of a forest already rousing you.

Dolores, however, doesn't seem to be picking up on the mood. [say:Um, [Father],] she says, [say:you're looking a little flushed. Perhaps we could take a moment to rest, it has been—]

You press your lips to hers, and she's so surprised she barely even reacts. [if (dolorescomforted) {However, as you wrap your arms around her and draw her in, she melts in your embrace for a moment before suddenly freezing up and pulling back|She feels almost entirely stiff as you wrap your arms around her, and when you pull your face back, you see the barest of frowns on hers}].

[say:" + player.mf("F-Father", "M-Mother") + "... [if (dolorescomforted) {we're out in the m-middle of, ah|Please, not— I... I-I-I}]...] She can't quite finish the thought, so you give her one last peck and then ask her what the matter is. She gets so visibly flustered that her wings flare indignantly behind her.

[say:We're completely out in the open! Wh-What if someone saw!? I-I-I can't believe you would... I mean, it's completely—!]

You step closer, and her face gets even redder. She seems confused by all this, and that's okay, but there's nothing wrong with a [father] loving [his] daughter. You're not afraid to hide your feelings for her, and there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of here. This journey is about helping her grow up, so you'd like to teach her to be proud of your familial bond.

[if (dolorescomforted) {[say:That's all well and good, but this—!] She gestures emphatically, but doesn't seem to find the words. After a few moments, her arms drop, and she sighs|She remains silent for a few moments, until a look of resignation passes over her face and she meekly nods}]. [say:Alright. Just... can we be quiet about it?]

You quickly assure your daughter that you'll do everything in your power to make sure she has a good time, including keeping quiet. Besides, there doesn't appear to be anybody around, and the location you've picked seems fairly secluded; everything will be fine. Dolores still looks uncertain, but doesn't object.

[say:S-So, how... I mean, um, did you... have some sort of posi—] Her mouth slams shut, and she turns her body to the side. Looks like this is your cue to take the lead, which is quite fortunate, as you don't want to hold back one second longer.

[Next]

You approach the young moth from behind and once more draw her into an embrace, finding her to be much more [if (dolorescomforted) {relaxed|compliant}] this time. You lean in close to her ear and whisper how beautiful she is, drawing a shiver from her dusky skin. Your lips pepper kisses down her neck, pausing at her shoulder when a little tremor runs through her.

[say:" + player.mf("F-Father", "M-Mother") + "...]

Something in her tone lights a fire in you, and it's all you can do not to ravish her right there. No, you had plans, so you hurry to put them into motion. While keeping your grip steady, you walk your daughter over to the tree you picked out earlier. You sadly have to let go of her to [if (!isnaked) {strip|get yourself ready}], but you know you won't have to wait long to feel her once again.

Dolores looks far too embarrassed to [if (!isnaked) {follow suit|join you in the nude}], but that's alright—you don't want to move her [i:too] far out of her comfort zone, and she's already being very brave. You're so proud of your little girl, and you really want to show her that, you think as you admire her beautiful form.

//dick version
You ask her if she's ready, and she gives a little nod, apparently still too bashful to look at you. Respecting her desire to not disrobe, you start to hitch her dress up over her hips, and though she trembles slightly, she makes no move to stop you. That done, you hook your fingers into her panties—black, lacy, and cute—and slowly pull them down to her ankles, making sure not to startle her along the way.

In this [if (haslegs) {kneeling|lowered}] position, your face is left right next to her waiting sex, so you lean in and inhale deeply. Your breath sends shivers up her thighs, [if (dolorescomforted) {and you can tell by her burgeoning wetness that she's starting to get a bit excited|though she doesn't seem to react more than that}]. But that's as much waiting as you can take, so you rise, take hold of your member, and angle it towards her entrance.

[if (tallness > 66) {However, your hips don't quite line up. No matter—you gently take hold of her sides and lift her into position. Like this, her legs dangle below, and she seems to have a brief moment of panic, but you're here to soothe her, so the moth quickly gives herself over to your loving embrace|Your hips line up perfectly, allowing you to easily slide up to her and press yourself to her backside. Her legs seem to be unsteady—maybe nerves—but your hands find her sides and grip firmly, causing her trembling to still}]. You take a moment to simply rest on her lips, making sure that she's fully prepared for what's to come.

But there are now no further impediments, so you're free to slide your length in, taking care not to go too fast. It's better to savor this, anyway, to savor the way her walls caress you, the feeling of her smooth skin, the little squeaks she lets out when you move. You sink in slowly, and as soon as you bottom out, start to pull back, shuddering a bit at the sensation. She clings to you, making every movement slightly more difficult, but all the better for it.

This is heavenly, but you [if (cor < 66) {aren't thinking only of your own pleasure|take almost as much pleasure in the way she reacts}]. You meter your motions, feeling her out and testing to see what has the most effect on your daughter. After a few minutes, her breathing is heavy, and her wings are fluttering weakly, and you don't think it will be much longer before she hits her peak. As a test, you deliver her a particularly forceful thrust, causing her legs to curl back around you[if (haslegs) {rs}] unconsciously.

With a display like that, there's no way you can hold back any more. Your hips start to work at a frenzied pace, [if (dolorescomforted) {drawing out shaky groans from your daughter|though your daughter doesn't make a sound}] as she [if (tallness > 66) {hangs in your arms|braces against the tree}]. You keep your grip tight, and the young moth lovingly accepts your affections, her folds feeling like soft velvet as you pump away. The four hands she keeps on the trunk keep her fairly steady, allowing you to adopt a pace that quickly has you on the brink.

You can feel the first spurt rip out of you with an electric shock, but you don't slow down, can't slow down even one bit. A primal frenzy takes over your mind as you pump in and out of the moth, [if (dolorescomforted) {her soft cries a sweet serenade as you enjoy her body. You can feel her tighten around you as her legs weakly spasm below, and the knowledge that your daughter has also reached her peak|her soft grunts and whimpers filling your head completely. The roughness of your motions causes her to tighten up around you, and the feeling of her young little body}] drives you even further into lust-fueled bliss.

By the end, your cum [if (cumhighleast) {has completely flooded her and now leaks out|leaks out from the seal of your cock and}] onto the ground. Your [cock] continues to throb inside of her as your last few thrusts slap against her soft flesh, until you can do no more. But rather than pull out, you sweep her into your arms, turn around, and lie back against the tree with your daughter in your lap.


//dickless version
You resume your advance, causing her to back up against the trunk, but that's exactly where you want her. Your little girl is so cute there before you, her hands nervously playing with her dress and her face turned to the side. But what draws you in most at the moment are her legs. Supple and lithe, but with just the right amount of softness—they're truly irresistible, and you don't feel one bit like resisting right now.

You kneel down in front of her, and her gaze shifts up to the leaf cover above as she murmurs something you don't quite catch. No matter—you have something that's commanding all of your attention at the moment. Your hands find her smooth skin, drawing a shiver from her, but as divine as her legs are, it's what lies between them that now has your attention. You gently slide your daughter's dress up and her panties down, revealing a nubile slit that already has your mouth watering. Not wasting a second more, you slip your arms under her legs, causing the moth to yelp as she frantically flails around for something to hold on to.

She eventually settles in with two hands on your shoulders and the other two bent back around to grasp the trunk, giving her enough stability that you won't have to worry about her falling. Your nose now hovers right in front of her entrance, but you don't dive in just yet, instead savoring the warmth and light scent of arousal emanating from her. But you[if (dolorescomforted) { don't want to keep her waiting too long|'re too impatient to wait any longer}], so you at last lean in and deliver a single kiss to her sensitive skin.

[say:A-Ah... [Father]... Th-That's... a bit too...]

Despite her saying this, [if (dolorescomforted) {her arousal is obvious|you think she's ready}], so you slowly slip your tongue inside of her, enjoying the texture of her walls as you reach [if (longtongue) {deep inside of her|as deep as you can}]. The sweet taste of your daughter floods your mouth, and you begin eating her out with a passion, reveling in the heady sensations flowing through you. Like this, you can feel the beat of the moth's heart, and yours soon changes pace to match, your bodies pulsing in tune as you kiss her tenderly.

While you continue your amorous efforts above, one hand slips below to take care of yourself. In the heat of the moment, you'd managed to neglect your own needs, and your juices now [if (vaginalwetness > 2) {flow freely from you, dripping onto the forest floor|stain your thighs with proof of your negligence}]. The slightest touch sends a shiver through your system, and the moan you let out into Dolores draws out an adorable reaction, [if (dolorescomforted) {one she can't manage to suppress|though she quickly stifles it}].

[if (dolorescomforted) {Her legs tighten around your neck, restricting your already strained breathing, and all four of her hands [if (hashair) {bury themselves in your hair|latch onto your head}]|Despite her muted response, you can tell by the way that her walls are starting to rhythmically contract that she's doesn't have much left, and her legs even give a brief, involuntary spasm}]. Feeling how close your daughter is makes your heart hammer in your chest, and your shaky hand can barely keep up its efforts, but little more is needed right now.

What finally sets you off is Dolores's own climax. She cries out and moves her upper pair of hands to your shoulder blades, bending forward and briefly making you worry that she'll topple over, but your concerns are quickly lost when all of your nerves light up and you lose yourself to pleasure. Your eyes close, and all that you're left with are the sensations of your daughter. Her feel, her sound, her taste, all of them comfort and invigorate you as your orgasm spreads all throughout, reaching your furthest extremities.

When you finally regain your awareness, you immediately notice how messy your face has become. A glance up to Dolores confirms that she's not in any position to even be embarrassed about this, her eyes looking positively empty. Eventually, neither of you can stay upright, so you draw the little moth down into your lap and rest back against the tree, faint aftershocks still running through your limbs.

//Merge
[Next]

It's quiet out here in this forest, so Dolores's shallow breaths are the only thing you hear. The [sun] is high in the sky, casting light down into the glade, filtered by the leaf cover. Everything is gentle, and peaceful, and serene. There might be nobody in the whole world except for you and your daughter as you slowly come down, both of your bodies too weak to move.

After some time, you[if (hascock) {r cock grows soft enough to slip out| start to feel stiff}], so you give the moth-girl one last hug and shift her to the side, then proceeding to rise and [if (!isnaked) {re-don your [armor]|stretch}]. Dolores is somewhat slower in her recovery, but eventually, she manages to get back to her feet, a [if (dolorescomforted) {vaguely dreamy|completely blank}] look on her face.

You ask her how she feels, and she immediately snaps to, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. [saystart]Ah, [Father]... it was... [if (dolorescomforted) {unexpectedly...[sayend] She doesn't say exactly what, but you're sure you already know|fine.[sayend] She doesn't specify, but you can feel the deep bond between the two of you, so you're not worried in the slightest}].

But in any case, the two of you have tarried here for quite some time now, so you should think about moving on. Dolores shifts in her dress uncomfortably, so it would probably be a good idea to at least drop by the cave on the way to your next destination and allow her to clean up.
//same options



[Done] //tooltip- End this quest and go home.
Well, that about covers everywhere you would want to take your daughter. You turn to her and tell her that you're out of ideas. She gives you a [if (places == 1) {gentle|wide}] smile.

[say:[if (places == 1) {Well, even if we only went to one place,|You've shown me so much, and}] I really appreciate you doing this for me. Seeing the world outside of my home has been... more enlightening than I could have expected.] The corner of her mouth rises, one wistful hand making its way to her cheek while the others fret with her dress.

There's nothing else for it right now, so the two of you set back off for her home. A comfortable silence settles over you as your surroundings blend into a haze. The crooked trees and burbling muck of the bog pass around you, but your daughter holds your thoughts completely. There's something about her gait, or maybe her bearing, or maybe you don't really know what it is, but in any case, she has certainly grown, somehow.

You're almost taken aback when she breaks the silence. [say:I'm just surprised that it went so smoothly. Well, I suppose we can attribute that to your forethought, [Father]. Really, I don't know how I would survive without you, and... I guess what I'm really trying to say is thank you.] She smiles at you, fully committing to it this time, and the warmth there melts your heart.

[say:Ah, I'll be happy to settle back in, though. However nice this was, I think I've seen all I need to for the moment. Being out and about really makes me appreciate the comforts of home.]

Well, you're not so sure that she's seen everything just yet. After all, you didn't even come across a single de—

[say:Oh, hello, travelers!]

Your head swivels, and you immediately ready your [weapon]—only to find an unassuming old man on the path in front of you. His skin looks extremely withered and whorled, like the bark of an ancient tree, and his face droops so much that you can't really tell if his eyes are open. A long, bushy beard spills from his face and down the drab tunic he wears. A walking stick and traveler's gear round out his possessions, although everything he has looks several years past its prime.

[say:Ah, it does my old bones good to see [if (iselder) {someone my own age|such fresh young faces}]. Not many come this way, anymore, and it's been quite some time since I've just been able to have a chat.] One decrepit hand raises in a gesture of greeting, and you notice that his fingernails are dirty, jagged, and unkempt. [say:Would you mind humoring [if (iselder) {a fellow senior|an old man} for a few minutes?]

He's leaning against a stump and making no move towards you, so the tension lowers a bit, but you can't quite shake the sense that something's very wrong here. Where did he come from? Why is he just waiting out here, in the middle of the woods?

Rather than be offended, he simply grins. His teeth are yellowed and oddly slimy-looking. [say:Now, now, [if (iselder) {don't folks like us have to stick together|is that any way to treat your elders}]? I suppose that trust is hard-won these days, but all I'm looking for is some light conversation.]

[say:A-Are you a demon?] your daughter asks, taking a step forward. Her hands nervously play with each other in front of her, but her eyes look determined. Before you can say anything, the man laughs once and responds.

[say:Don't you know how rude it is to ask that? My, children these days really don't know their place. What is your name, girl?]

Too brash for you to stop her in time, the young moth answers, [say:Dolores,] defiance and pride in her eyes. [say:And are you going to offer yours?]

The old man lets out a long, echoing chuckle as he slowly gets up from the stump. His movements seem awkward and creaking, but before your eyes, his body starts to bulge in certain places unnaturally. His forms shifts ever so slightly, but he now looks at once hulking and lanky, his limbs far too long for his torso. [say:Of course not!] He runs his greasy fingers back through his wispy hair, and when he hands pull back, you can now see a pair of imposing, swept-back horns of charcoal-black. [say:That would be far too fair.]

Before she can retort, his eyelids raise up with startling speed, revealing two repugnant orbs that almost bulge from his head. He snaps his fingers, and she cries out in pain before going completely still. You're already moving forward, but she suddenly collapses to her knees, hands moving to her throat.

You take your daughter in your arms, having no idea what's happening to her, but it turns out that her panic is short-lived. She blinks twice, rubs her throat a bit, and then puts a placating hand on your chest, signaling you to give her some space. You do so, and then ask her what's wrong. She looks at you and opens her mouth, but no sound comes out. Quite vexed by this, she tries again, pantomiming a scream, but still, nothing.

Curious. The two of you seem to come to the same conclusion—she starts gesturing at her throat and making an "x" sign in the air, while you assure her that you understand what's going on. Her (relative) safety confirmed, you realize that you've ignored the demon for longer than you probably should.

[say:Are you quite finished yet? Good, I hate when upstart brats poke their heads into adult matters...]

Now that you're looking at them directly, his eyes are truly revolting. They're a sickly shade of brown-yellow, with veins creeping in from the edges, and their pupils are irregular blobs, like blotches of ink. The worst part is the unnerving energy they seem to burn with. It's not anything physical, but you can sense something beastly in them, like you're being stared at by a vulture.

A mixture of anger and disgust graces your daughter's face, and you're not feeling any more charitable, so you [if (hasweapon) {bring your [weapon] to bear|crack your knuckles}] and start to approach with murderous intent.

[say:Ah, hold on a moment,] he says, his voice still frighteningly disarming. [say:There's no need for violence, just yet. We can get to that in due time.] He smiles. [say:I'd still like to have that chat, if you're willing.]

You could rush him now, or you could hear what he has to say. Dolores tugs on your arm a bit and shakes her head.

[Fight] [Hear Out] [Run]


[Run] //tooltip- Just get out of here.
She must be thinking the same thing as you—you should just get out of here.

You grab her arm, turn tail, and start sprinting through the trees, hoping that his ancient appearance is more than superficial. The way his laugh trails off behind you makes it clear that he's not giving chase, which gives you some hope of success, but this feeling turns to dread when you burst through two trees and into a clearing, only to find the demon right there in front of you again.

He slaps his knees as he laughs, near doubling over in delight. [say:Oh-hoh-hoh, tiring ourselves out, are we? Or were you just getting your blood pumping? That's fine, that's very fine, I like them a bit feisty.] He continues chuckling as you turn around once more and race off into the trees, Dolores following just behind. There's a sinking feeling in your gut, but you have to try.

Your despair hardens into a pit when, before you know it, you're right back where you started, the only thing to show for your hasty decision being a shortness of breath. The devil seems to have contained his mirth for the moment, but his smirk threatens to break out into another fit of laughter at any second.

[say:So vigorous, [if (iselder) {you're pretty spry for your age|how I envy the young}]. Now, are you ready to start, or are you not done with your jog?]

You can see that the young moth is quite out of breath, and you aren't sure that keeping this up is a good idea in any case.

//Same options, run disabled


[Fight] //tooltip- You're not the type to bargain with demons.
You're not quite sure if she wants you to talk with him or what, but if that's the case, you'll need to teach her not to fall for such obvious tricks in the future.

You shut your ears and steel your heart, approaching the demon with your [weapon] at the ready. His hands slowly drop, and his eyes become unusually blank, seeming to stare in two different directions, neither of which are yours.

[say:Oh? I should've known how uncivilized you were by the slack, boorish look on your face. Such cretins certainly deserve to get roughed up a bit, but I was hoping you'd be up for a good wager.] He opens his mouth wide to let out a humorless guffaw, and you can see that his broken, rotting teeth are much longer than they should be. [say:Well, I'll get my fun out of you all the same.]

He casts his cane to the side and rushes at you with incredible speed! You raise your [weapon] and meet him, catching a brief glimpse of Dolores taking to the air behind you.
//Fight stuff below


[Hear Out] //tooltip- You need to be cautious here, you don't know what he's capable of yet.
Does Dolores actually want you to speak with him? Well, you suppose you can try. The grin he bears when you tell him you'll talk is enough to make you already regret your decision, but you have no time to consider an alternative before the sickening voice starts up once more.

[say:Good, good, most excellent. It seems like these days, all anyone wants is instant gratification, but some things deserve being savored...] The demon settles back onto his stump, resting his cane across his knees. You glance over to your daughter, but she's still completely silent. It doesn't seem like he'd slip up enough to free her, so you return your attention to your adversary.

His eyelids have drooped once more, but you can still sense the predatory intent lurking under them. [say:Now then, we're playing a game.] A game? [say:A simple game, a riddle game! Come now, you must have heard this story plenty of times. Don't you remember shivering in bed as your mother told you the tale of a little [boy] that gets lost in the woods, and must wiggle [his] way out of a devious devil's grasp?] He laughs, and you wait for him to stop.

[say:Ah, very well, right to it, I suppose. Here are the rules of our game]—he stretches his arms and takes in a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh—[say:so no one can say this wasn't fair. First, I'm playing with you and you alone.] He glances towards your daughter. [say:Well, I've already solved that problem, but it's your answers I'm taking. Second, speak loudly and clearly. I'll be taking your answers as I hear them, cross my heart, so no trying to claim you just [i:meant] to say something else—oh please, won't I just grant you this one tiny little take-back, it was an honest mistake, honest!] He frowns. [saystart]I [b:hate] those sorts.

Now, onto the actual meat of it. You haven't had time to prepare, and I've heard most every one in the book, so I won't be forcing you to come up with any riddles yourself. No, I'm really a kind old fellow, so I'll only be pitching. Oh, how many you ask[sayend]—you didn't—[say:why, three, of course. It's always three, yes [sir].]

Well, what happens if you get one wrong? The demon doesn't answer at first, instead electing to pick his teeth with a filthy nail. A contact from the side gives you quite the start, but you calm down when you realize it's just Dolores. She wraps all four of her arms around one of yours, staring at the demon with open hatred.

[say:Well, your soul,] he finally says. [say:I suppose it's not particularly creative, but they're just so scrumptious. Normally, we have to go about this through slightly more carnal means, but]—he gives you a significant look—[say:by agreeing to play this little game with me, you're forfeiting the rights to your lethicite if you lose.]

And if you win?

[say:You're free to go,] he says, raising his hands in a conciliatory gesture, the effect of which is marginalized by those putrid nails. [say:You'll never have to see me again, and your dear young daughter will be free to pierce your eardrums with that nasty voice of hers as much as she wants. So, that's about that, then. Your answer?]

You weigh your options. Dolores nods at you and gives him a pointed look, putting a hand on your [weapon].

[Agree] [Fight] //Fight is the same as above


[Agree] //tooltip- Play his sick game.
//See riddles paste (but be warned, there are spoilers there): https://pastebin.com/D6MXZxDZ


//Final riddle success
The demon gives you some ironic applause, though even the sound of his hands slapping together manages to be repulsive. [say:Congratulations, oh, congratulations! Ah, [if (iselder) {I see you're wiser than you let on|I suppose you younguns still have some things you can teach an old geezer like me}]. Well, go on then, get out of my sight.] He gives a dismissive wave and turns his head.

You remind him that he promised to free your daughter.

[say:Oh, yes, yes, just a moment,] he grumbles, before closing his eyes and performing a complex gesture you can't quite follow. Your daughter gasps for air as her hands fly to her neck, so you rush over to her, worried that the demon has decided to renege on your agreement.

[say:That's... alright, [Father].] She coughs. [say:I'm alright.] She puts a weak hand on your chest, but already looks to be recovering well enough. Her bright eyes flash briefly as she says, [say:You should worry about him...]

That's a good point. What to do with the demon?

[Fight] [Talk] [Taunt] [Dolores] [Leave]


[Leave] //tooltip- There's nothing more you want out of him.
Without further ado, you gesture for Dolores to follow you and start walking out of the fetid clearing. She comes to your side quickly, looking glad to be able to get away from the demon. You think you can hear some vague grumbling from behind, but you pay it no mind as the two of you set off.


[Fight] //tooltip- You're not entirely satisfied.
Now that you've made sure that your daughter is alright, there's nothing holding you back from doing what needs to be done. The demon looks up as you approach, [weapon] at the ready, and barks out a laugh.

[say:Wasn't that enough excitement for you? [if (iselder) {You might want to rest your joints a bit|You young folk always astound me with how energetic you are}]. Well, I can't say that I'm altogether pleased with the previous outcome, so I don't mind a second round in the slightest.]

He arises from the stump, looking fairly creaky, but in a flash, he rushes towards you, blackened claws outstretched. But before he can reach you, a flash of white flame blocks his path and sends him dodging to the side.

[say:I'll follow your lead, [Father],] you hear from behind. Your daughter quickly takes to the sky as you close in, prepared to launch a dual assault.
//Combat details all the way at the bottom of the paste


[Taunt] //tooltip- Relieve some tension by mocking the demon.
You shout to get his attention, and the old devil gives you a weary glance. You know exactly how to deal with that kind of condescension, however, so you start to tell him how sorry you are. Dolores looks at you in confusion, but doesn't interrupt.

[say:What?] he responds with a slight sneer.

Well, obviously it must sting for someone of his years to have lost to [i:you]. Didn't he say that he'd been at this for a long time? It must be pretty shameful to have been proven so utterly inferior, so the least you can do, as a fellow traveler, is to apologize to him and make sure everything's okay.

His drab, pallid skin starts to color. [say:You think to mock me? You are nothing, and will never be anything. Not a single word that you've thought up since your mother shat you out has had one lick of worth, so prattle away, it bothers me none.]

Well that's wonderful—you're looking to help, after all. Everyone has bad days, so it's absolutely not disgraceful at all that he needs a hand from someone like you. Why, you could even help him come up with some better riddles for next time. In fact, the flow did seem a bit off, why doesn't he—

[say:You—!] His face draws tight in a shockingly fake smile, and he slumps back onto the stump. [say:You are a vulgarian of the highest order, and I most wholeheartedly wish that I never have to hear your churlish voice ever again.]

His white-knuckled grip on his cane tells you all you need to know as he stalks off into the swamp. You're startled out of your smug reverie by a burst of giggling behind you.

[say:Very well done, [Father]. I can't imagine a more satisfying conclusion to that dreadful business.] She smiles and looks downwards, her hands clasped behind her back. There's nothing left for the two of you here, so you suggest that you be off, and she nods. [say:Yes, that sounds like it's for the best.]


[Dolores] //tooltip- Talk to your daughter, now that you can once again.
Even if she says she's alright, you still want to take a moment to make sure. You gently lead Dolores far enough away from the demon that you can speak in private. He looks mildly curious, but doesn't seem to be interested in moving from the stump, so it seems like you're fine to just talk for the moment. The moth-girl looks to be in reasonably high spirits, considering what she just went through, but you ask her how she's feeling anyway.

She gives you a slight smile. [say:Just fine, [Father]. I will admit that it was quite a stressful situation, but... I... Well, I did have some fun in the end.] She looks almost embarrassed of this. [say:Not that I [b:like] being accosted by demons, but... it was enjoyable to test my wits like that, even if I couldn't answer myself, and all the more so because I was able to do it with you.]

That seems to be as much as she's able to say before a blush claims her face and she falls silent. Well, no matter, you respond in kind, and she lightens up a bit.

Well, the only thing left to decide is what you're going to do with regards to the demon, who is still sitting there patiently, perhaps also interested in this matter. You ask Dolores what she thinks the best course of action is. She raises a hand to her chin and seems to fall into a deep though for a few moments before looking back up.

[say:I think we should talk to him.] You're somewhat surprised—she actually wants to speak with him? Your daughter grimaces. [say:Well, I can't say that it will be the most enjoyable experience, but there are definitely a few things that don't really make sense to me, and I'd like to learn why he attacked us like that in the first place.] She seems to struggle internally for a few moments before continuing. [say:Only... Do you mind asking the questions? I, ah...]

She doesn't need to justify it, and you'll take all that into consideration. Dolores gives a grateful nod, and the two of you walk back over to the demon, who seems to perk up a bit, clearly intrigued by why you conferred like that.
//Same options, this one grayed out.


[Talk] //tooltip- Now that the danger has passed, you have the opportunity to just speak.
You tell the demon that you'd like to just talk to him, for the moment. He sneers back at you.

[say:Talk? With a simpering mortal? Well, I suppose that it's a rare enough thing to meet someone civilized enough to not try to fight or fuck everything in sight, so I should savor these opportunities when they come along. Alright then, talk.]

While an answer like that doesn't exactly make you enthusiastic about continuing this conversation, you do have several questions you could ask him...

//Each grays out as you pick it.
[Purpose] [Riddles] [Himself] [Back]


[Purpose] //tooltip- What was the point of that game?
You ask the demon why he challenged you like this in the first place. Demons are usually much more direct about what they want, so this approach seemed suspiciously measured.

[say:Feh, no appreciation, no appreciation at all, I tell you! I challenge [him] to a friendly game rather than just ripping out [his] entrails, and all I get in response is an interrogation!] Despite these inflamed words, his expression makes it clear that he's still speaking in jest. [say:Can't you just enjoy it for what it is? [i:I've] always been fond of gloating over a good game of wits, and you mortals have quite the preponderance of witless prey.]

While he may say that, you point out that he hasn't exactly seemed overjoyed about his situation, and there's not really much point in your eyes of acting the way he does. Why restrict himself like this?

[say:Yes, well, I can't deny that I'd love to pluck your eyeballs from your skull while sampling some of the finer things in life]—he gives a glance towards your daughter, and you consider breaking the tentative peace—[say:but sadly, I am...]

He stays silent for a few moments, his gaze drifting. He looks almost... lost, in this moment. Suddenly, his head jerks back, and you can see anger in his eyes, though you get the strange feeling that it isn't quite directed at you. [say:Yes, well, in any case, this is how I must while away my wretched time, so have some sympathy, fellow wretch.]

He crosses his arms and starts tapping one dingy boot. You consider pressing the matter, but you don't think he would be any more forthcoming with the information you're seeking.


[Riddles] //tooltip- Ask about the riddles he used in the game.
Those riddles were certainly interesting. Did he come up with them on his own? Was it all on the fly? He seemed to think them up fairly quickly—were they premeditated?

The demon sneers in response, taking a few moments to find the actual words. [say:[b:Yes], I write my own material. Well, some of it is out of my hands. Contractual obligations and such, you know—a terrible business, and very restrictive to boot.] He grins. [say:But even with that, I would say that I've done a bang-up job! I mean, someone like you was able to understand them. Even though... Even though I have to...] He trails off, his expression growing hard to interpret.

Oddly enough, his expression seems to soften a bit. [say:Though the rhymes are mine. That's a... rare joy in life.] Before you could get the impression that he has an actual soul, he quickly assumes an arrogant expression once again. [say:I imagine such things are almost completely wasted on you lot. A shame, the one thing mortals are good for is pleasant mewling, but none of them seem to be able to hold a decent meter.]

[About Right] [Liked Them]


[About Right] //tooltip- He's not wrong—you don't really care about any of that.
You shrug and tell him that you don't really care for fancy words. He nods and sneers, responding, [say:Well, that was evident from your slack-jawed look of boredom, you philistine.] Despite the way he says this, the smug look on his wrinkled face makes you think that he might might actually prefer this answer.


[Liked Them] //tooltip- Despite his impression of you, you do have an appreciation for this kind of thing
You tell the old demon that whatever he thinks of mortals, you're not all slobbering oafs. Despite the fact that you were fighting for your soul, you actually happened to enjoy it, as well as artful words in general.

[say:Hah! Hah... Well, Mareth still holds some surprises, I suppose.] He seems to sag, and the demon for once looks like nothing more than a weary old traveler. The illusion doesn't last long, however, as he quickly perks up with an ugly smirk on his face. [say:A shame I didn't get a taste of that soul of yours.]


//Merge
There's a lull in the conversation, and the devil looks mildly contemplative as he shifts in his seat. [say:Well, it's still nice to recite them, even if my audience is captive. Ach—] He frowns. [say:I'm not looking for one shred of sympathy from the likes of you, so don't go getting any ideas.]

He looks away, so you don't think you'll get anything more out of him here.


[Himself] //tooltip- Try to find out more about the demon himself.
You ask the demon to tell you about himself. He blinks.

[say:I didn't think my hearing had gone [b:that] bad, but it sounded like you were trying to make small talk. Is there any ringing in your ears? Experiencing any unnatural smells?]

You're serious—you just spent a good deal of time having to suffer through that game of his, so it seems like you're owed at least a small explanation of who exactly he is.

[say:Why, I told you.] He grins. [say:A fellow traveler! And nothing more. Maybe once, but the years haven't treated me very kindly, so now I am a lost soul—or, well, poor choice of words, but you get the point.]

You're not quite sure how you would get anything more out of him, but luckily, Dolores chooses this moment to intervene, stepping forward and asking, [say:Well, would you at least tell us your name? I asked when I gave you mine, and I seem to remember you being quite reticent back then as well.]

[say:Do you think we're on a first-name basis?] he retorts. [say:No, I don't see why I should do you any courtesies.] Oddly enough, he looks a bit nervous, but you have no idea why. Your daughter's eyes narrow.

[say:But you're obviously such a proud little man, why wouldn't you want the world to know your name? Is there some reason you can't tell us? What's the worst that could happen—I can't imagine we could do anything to damage your reputation or the like.]

[say:No!] he shouts, then dropping silent and looking sullen. Well, it seems like this topic has soured, but it is odd how reluctant he is to share this...


//If you choose all three, this plays through a next
You're thinking about what to ask him next, when you feel a tug on your arm. You look over to see Dolores staring at you insistently. She jerks her head to the side, so you follow her a short distance away, where she starts to whisper.

[say:There's something strange going on,] she says, but that much was clear to you too. [say:Well, as you pointed out, he seems to be bound by certain rules. I couldn't say exactly why, but that's beside the point—it's obvious that he's compelled to act in certain ways, and I think we can exploit that, somehow.]

Her idea sounds promising, but you ask her how exactly she plans to put it into action.

[say:His name. He's clearly trying to hide it, so if we can somehow figure it out, I imagine something not to his liking will happen.] She huffs. [say:I have no idea what that might mean in particular, but if it's unpleasant for that filth, I don't much care.]

That's all well and good, but how would you even start to figure out his name? He seems dead-set on keeping his mouth shut on the matter.

Your daughter grins with an uncharacteristic mischievousness. [say:Ah, well I think I've already figured out how.] At your expression, she hastily clarifies, [say:N-Not the answer itself, but I know how we can find it! I think there are clues hidden in those riddles. I don't know why—maybe another one of the 'rules'?—but think about what he said when you asked him about them.]

That's right—he mentioned something about \"contractual obligations\". So, if you're understanding this right, he's being compelled to wander around and offer people the chance to best him in this way? Strange, but you could certainly take advantage of this.

Your daughter nods. [say:My thoughts exactly. We just need to figure out what the clues were. Well, the first one was about names, so that much is obvious. The answer to the second was about cutting something in half, and the last made you switch something around...]

If you can put all that together, it seems like you should be able to guess his name.
//Adds [Guess Name] to the talk options. Details in the riddles paste, as they're a spoiler.



//Combat Loss
You collapse, none of your limbs following your commands any longer. You cry out, scream at them to move, but there's no response, and you can only watch as the old demon lets out a deep sigh and settles back down on the stump. Your only other hope is quickly dashed when you see Dolores fall down next to you, completely incapacitated.

[say:Ah, it's never quite as enjoyable to do things the rough way, but I can't say it wasn't nice to stretch my legs.] He grunts and shivers a bit, closing his eyes and seeming to bask in the [sun]light.

He's not looking at you—this might be your only chance. If he's resting, so will you. You'll regain your strength, you'll reclaim your [if (hasweapon) {weapon|standing}], and you'll defeat him. You don't care what you have to suffer, as long as you survive, it's— But no, he's already getting up. He's limbering up and grumbling, but it's still too soon, you can't do anything yet. You hope, wish, pray, but then he starts to walk over to you, an easy smile on his face.

[say:Oh, don't worry. [if (iselder) {You've already lived a long life|Many have lain right where you do}], it's no shame to die here. And you've raised such a fine daughter.] His eyes flick over to her helpless form, and your whole being burns. [say:I'll be thanking you for that later, you can be sure.]

And before you can do anything else, the demon is already upon you, his hands clutching around your throat and pulling you up. You can't breathe, you can't even think anymore, and his cruel laughter rings in your ears. As your consciousness starts to fade, his mouth opens wider, and his crooked teeth glisten.

//Bad end


//Win
The demon staggers, almost seems to catch a second wind, but then falls heavily against the stump he first appeared on. Between ragged pants, he speaks with a venomous look.

[say:Well... I guess... you've won... And to the winner go the spoils.] He sneers, but his jagged teeth are far less menacing when [if (monster.HP < 1) {covered in his own blood|he can't stop ogling you}]. [say:What would you drag from me?]


[Riches] [Knowledge] [Pleasure] [His Death] [Dolores] [Leave]

[Riches] //tooltip- Might as well profit off of this.
You tell the old man that he seems like the miserly sort, so he's sure to have a thing or two to sate your pecuniary lust. He should share something, if he wants to keep drawing breath. Despite the exacting nature of your demand, he grins in response, seeming almost pleased by what you want.

[say:Yes, yes, you mortals do so love your shiny trinkets. That's what makes them so nice to take...] The wretch slips one hand into his filthy tunic and scrounges around in there for some time before finally pulling out a small object that twinkles faintly in the [sun]light. [say:I'm very certain that this will soothe over any misgivings you have.]

He stretches his arm out, and you snatch the proffered treasure. Looking at it more closely, you can now see that it's a ring. A fine one at that—made of glowing gold with three large gems set in a row, it would certainly fetch a high price anywhere you could sell it. Its luster is so engrossing that his voice comes as a mild shock when it starts up again.

[say:I got that one off of a poor young sap, [if (iselder) {who probably could have been your son|[if (ischild) {a few years older than you|around your age, in fact}]}]. Earnest, but dull enough that I wonder where he got it in the first place. Such a shame it never made its way to the home he wanted.] The demon lets out a cackle that makes you shiver, but you pocket the ring all the same.
//Maybe the ring has an actual effect if you did the special route?
//Merges below


[Knowledge] //tooltip- Surely someone as old as him has something for you.
You tell the demon that he must be experienced, from what you've gathered. He looks positively decrepit, and you get the impression that he has had many of these encounters before, so he certainly must have learned something interesting in all that time. Since you bested him, you'd like to take your reward in the form of some of that experience.

The demon grins. [say:Flattery won't get you anywhere when it comes from a mug as repulsive as yours, but your request is certainly more interesting than most. Fine, I'll grant it to you. But listen carefully, because I won't be repeating myself.]

He gestures you over, so you reluctantly approach, until he's close enough to lean in for a whisper. His words are strangely soothing to your ear—sweet, even—and it's all you can do not to fall into a stupor. Their content is simple enough, but you feel as though they have some significance you can't quite grasp. When he finally stops talking, you blink, and it feels like you've just awakened from a deep sleep.

[say:There. You'll be slightly less of a feckless dimwit, though that's not saying much.]

You look at him, and are surprised to find that you're noticing details you didn't before. The slight twitch of his eyebrows, his unsteady breathing, the eerie stillness of his limbs—nothing major, but you just get the impression that you're tracking him more closely, like you understand his motions—or maybe the demon himself—a bit better. Strange, but potentially very useful.
//Functions better if special route?


[Pleasure] //tooltip- You'll have your fill, now that he's compliant.
You tell the demon that all this was extremely tiring, and that you need something to improve your mood as soon as possible. Seeing as he's a demon, you should hope he knows what you want. As you relate this, your daughter looks on, mystified, only seeming to catch your meaning after you finish, whereupon she blushes and looks to the side.

For his part, the demon simply wears a mocking grin the whole way through. After you're done, he languorously starts to speak. [say:Yes, yes, such humdrum hungers are no stranger to me. You'll find I've gotten quite adept at granting wishes of that nature.]

You wonder exactly what he means by that. Does he have some bound servant he can summon to pleasure you? Can he force someone to follow your bidding? He's a demon, so it stands to reason that he could transform himself. In fact, if you're inclined, you could even—

A crisp snap is the only warning you have before your every sense is completely overloaded by pleasure. It feels like every nerve, every surface, and every synapse in your body is being flooded by sensations you could hardly even dream of. Your [if (singleleg) {balance gives|legs give}] out immediately under the assault, and it's all you can do just to lie there as this bizarre phenomenon washes over you.

The inundation of pleasure is so complete that no sense is left out. You not only [i:feel] this euphoria—you can [i:smell] and [i:taste] it just as well. Your vision is overcome by a soft, red haze that reminds you of flushed genitalia, and all you can think about is the pure lust coursing through your veins. You have no idea how long you're lost in this state, but eventually a dull throb brings you partially back to reality. You follow it, and consciousness slowly returns, your eyes fluttering open.

You look up, and the first thing you see is the mocking gaze of the one who did that to you, but a cleared throat from the side quickly draws your attention. You turn towards your daughter, whose blush is bright red and whose head is turned to the side.

[say:A-Are you alright, [Father]?] she asks, her fingers tapping lightly on an arm.

A good question. You turn your attention to your own body; your [if (hasscales) {scales still tingle a bit|[skinshort] is still somewhat hot}], but the overwhelming sensation that took you earlier is all but gone. It's actually a bit strange how quickly it left you, and you feel almost empty in its wake. However, as you shift around, you notice [if (low cum or wetness) {a certain dampness down below that causes a mild flare of embarrassment|a profuse dampness down below that has absolutely soaked your [if (isnaked) {[legs]|[armor]}], to the point that heat rises to your face}]. Seems you'll have to clean up back at camp.

Putting that aside for the moment, you look up and inform your daughter of your status. She nods once and doesn't inquire any further into what the demon did to you.


[His Death] //tooltip- Not another word.
Rather than answer, you raise your [weapon]. He just laughs.

[say:That's quite alright, you've already proven any point you want to. Really, there's no need for anything like that—I've already told you, I'll give you whatever you want. Just ask, already.]

You want his utter end, for him to blight this world no longer. He chuckles again, as if that's all he can do.

[say:Very amusing, really, a real kneeslapper, but you surely want [b:something]. All of you greasy mortals do, if you peel off enough layers of 'virtue' and 'benevolence'.] You step closer, not lowering your [weapon] one bit. [say:N-Now, we've... ah... You're really going to... But! Yes, I can promise you, I—]

You've closed the distance, whether he's ready or not. Your
//bladed
blade swipes at him
//blunt
weapon curves in a deadly arc right towards him
//ranged
first shot flies right at him
//unarmed
fist swings directly at his face

, sending him careening to the ground to just barely avoid the blow. His head swivels to and fro, but there's no escape, so he pathetically tries to hide behind the stump.

[say:Stop, you absolute fool! What do you [b:want]!? It could be anything, anything, just ask! My death can't mean more to you than your wildest dream, your darkest fantasy, so just think for a moment, you ape! You utter brute! Barbarian!]

You quickly round the stump, and he puts his hands up over his face. [say:W-Wait!]

But patience has long since left you.
//bladed
You raise your weapon high and then bring it down in a devastating overhand swing that cleaves through hand, flesh, and skull.
//blunt
You make a quick sideways swipe, catching his wrist and causing him to wrench to the side, inadvertently revealing a skull that you crush without a moment's hesitation.
//ranged
You level your weapon directly at his head and then fire, the shot piercing through his hands and the soft matter behind them.
//unarmed
You move in close and grab his wrists with one hand, using the other to rain blows upon his terrified mask, quickly reducing it to pulp.
//merge
Though he lies motionless, you follow it up with further attacks, until his awful visage isn't even recognizable as a human face anymore—just to be sure. When you're quite finished, you step back and wipe your brow, gazing upon what was once a man—or even less—who threatened your daughter.

When you turn back to her, you see that she's cringing away from this brutal sight, but when you approach, she suddenly rushes over to hug you.

[say:I don't... know if I could have done something like that, but... thank you, [Father]. It needed to be done.]

You pat her back, and she stays clutching you for a while longer. When she seems ready to move on, the two of you leave, not wasting another thought on what you leave behind.


[Dolores] //tooltip- Ask your daughter what to do.
You turn to Dolores and ask her what she thinks the best course of action is here. She blinks, looking confused for a few moments before finally processing your words.

[say:M-Me? Well, I was the one who... I mean, I couldn't possibly...]

You cut her off right there, telling her that you wouldn't ask if you didn't want her answer. She's your daughter, and nothing will ever change that, but even besides your familial bonds, she's quite a smart young girl, and her advice is always welcome.

//normal version
She smiles at your words and looks at her feet with a slight blush. [say:I... Thank you for that, [Father], but you're the one who bested him, so you're the one who should get what [he] wants. And besides, I am unsure of what I would ask of such a wretch as him, in any case.]

With that, she nods once, and turns away. Looks like you'll have to pick for yourself.
//Same menu, this button disabled

//if you got the name
She seems to take your words to heart, her expression going from uncertain to thoughtful as a hand raises to her chin. She stays like this for some time, looking at nothing in particular, before her eyes shoot up with a quiet intensity.

[say:What exactly are the specifications of what we can ask for?] she asks the demon.

[say:Well... I'm not exactly obliged to tell you what, but out of the kindness of my heart: things and services, mostly,] he answers, looking displeased to even be talking to her.

She taps her foot a few times. [say:Services? What exactly do you mean by that?]

He shrugs his shoulders, wincing a bit as he does. [say:I can do something for you. You want something brought to you? Done. There someone you want killed? As long as it's not Her, I can give it a whack.] He chuckles.

[say:So could I ask you to do something repeatedly? Not just a one-time action?] The faint beginnings of a devious grin start to form on her face, and you keep quiet, waiting to see where she's going with this.

The demon narrows his eyes a bit and responds, [say:Ye-e-es. Once had a lad who wanted me to bring him a fresh virgin every full moon. Of course, that ended when—]

[say:I want you to tell your name to everyone you meet. Your real one.]

His face curls and distorts into a dreadful grimace. His eyes strain against his skull, and you wonder if you've ever seen such rage before. For a moment, you think he might be about to leap at you, but he settles down, the energy seeming to leave him completely. When he starts to talk, it's with a chilling lack of emotion. [say:I'll kill you, someday.]

That done, he gets up and starts hobbling off into the forest, Dolores's arrogant smirk hounding his back the whole way.


[Leave] //tooltip- You've had enough, it's time to go.
Without answering the vile man, you take your daughter's hand and start to pull her away. The demon just chuckles, but when he sees that you're not coming back, he falters a bit.

[say:Yes, yes, you've shown me just how stalwart you are, but get back here so we can settle things.]

You have no interest in spending one more second even looking at him, and you wouldn't want anything he could offer to dirty your hands. The old devil howls at hearing your response, seeming far more incensed than is warranted.

[say:No! No, you'll deal with me! Get back here!] he roars. As you [walk] off into the bog, you hear a crash, and glance back over your shoulder to see that the old devil has collapsed forward off of the stump, one arm stretched out towards you and murder in his eyes. You don't know why he's so insistent about this.

However, you're uninterested in finding out, so you simply leave, his shouts eventually fading behind you.


//All the rewards merge here
[say:All debts are paid,] he says, causing your head to snap up. [say:We have no more business, and I am leaving. I wish you a quick death in some putrid hole somewhere, that I may never have to look at your wretched face ever again so long as I live.] Before you can answer, he stands up from his seat, falls backwards, and starts to shrink, his body disappearing into the shade behind the stump.

You rush over to look, but nothing remains there except for a pile of old rags. Their stench warns you off, and you doubt he would leave anything behind of real value, so it seems like that's that.

[Next] //Everything else merges here

Wearily, the two of you get back on the path to your daughter's home. Dolores, exhausted by this entire affair, starts to wobble after only a couple minutes, so you present your back and gesture for her to hop on. The young moth looks embarrassed to have to do this, but she doesn't complain as you hook your arms under her legs.

[say:...Thank you, [Father],] she says, slurring her words a bit with exhaustion. [say:I can't say that that was an entirely enjoyable experience, but... it was certainly a worthwhile one.] The two of you talk about everything and nothing as you head back, and you can feel your bond with your daughter deepening. A warm feeling suffuses your chest, and though your body feels a bit drained, your spirit feels light as a feather.

She whispers softly, almost too quietly for you to hear, [say:I... really love you, [Dad].] You can feel her start to go slack in your grip, her limbs jolting a few times as she fights off sleep. Finally, her head snuggles into the nape of your neck, and you soon hear her soft breathing against your [skindesc]. That's just fine; she deserves the rest.

The next few minutes of travel pass in silence, but it's not uncomfortable in the least. When you reach the cave, you let out a sigh of relief, all of the weight of the past few hours seeming to hit you at once. But you still have a job left to do, so you square up and enter. Sylvia's there to greet you immediately, seeming worried at your appearance, but you hold a finger up to your lips and gesture at the sleeping girl on your back. She looks curious, but doesn't say a word, so you point at the back hallway.

She nods in understanding and then smiles warmly, helping you convey your daughter into her bed and tucking her in when you step back. The two of you linger for a moment longer before adjourning to the main room, where you begin to explain the events of your travels. Sylvia listens with interest, and you end up telling your tale long into the night...

//return to camp, set time to 21:00 (or later?)






//Demon combat stuff down here because I'm lazy
short = old demon
long = You are fighting an aged wretch of a demon. His muscles bulge unnaturally beneath his shabby clothes, and he moves with a speed you wouldn't expect at all from him. Every time your eyes slip off of him for even a second, the devil rushes at you with uncanny alacrity, making this fight a harrowing experience.
weapon = nails
verb = slash
armor = shabby clothing
//Reasonably high health and speed, but low attack/damage


//Attacks


//Nail slash
The demon bears down on you,
//Blind
but without his vision, he can barely even tell where you are, allowing you to easily avoid his attack.
//Block/parry
but you manage to turn aside his rending slash before you're hit.
//Dodge/related things
and you just barely manage to get out of the way before his claws dig into you.
//Hit
and before you're able to do anything, his claws [if (hasarmor) {work their way past your defenses|bite into your naked flesh}], digging deep and sending a searing pain throughout your body. Even after you pull away, clutching your wounded side, your body continues to throb, each pulse setting you off-balance.
//DoT, and maybe some small speed/accuracy debuff or the like


//Feint
The sly demon speeds right at you, but just before his attack lands, he bends his body unnaturally,
//Int check (?)
but you're able to predict his move and still avoid the slash.
//else
allowing him to get a cheap hit in that smarts all the more for his trickery.


//Whisper (probably some cooldown)
The demon dashes in close, but rather than attack, he simply starts to whisper. You can't quite make out the words, but you start to feel woozy, staggering back and nearly [if (hasweapon) {dropping your weapon|lowering your fists}]. A voice in your head begins babbling nonsense, and it's all you can do to keep [if (singleleg) {upright|on your feet}]. When you look up, the whole world just seems confusing, as if nothing is quite put together right.
//Whispered effect


//Dolores's's actions:

//Always available
//Delay
The demon makes a deft faint and then starts to close in for an attack, but just before he can reach you, your daughter swipes past him from behind, setting him off-balance and forcing him to retreat for the moment.
//Takes up a round of attack


//If you did the riddles first
//Whitefire
The demon is currently focusing on you and you alone, giving your daughter the opportunity to chant a short incantation. She thrusts out all four of her hands, and a spout of pale fire blossoms forth, scorching the demon.


//Heal (fairly rare)
A slight murmur from behind you draws your attention. You turn to see Dolores, her eyes closed and her face flushed from what looks like more than just concentration. After a moment, she extends her hands out towards you, and you can feel some of your wounds stitching together.






//Change Dolores's intro to the following:
You enter into Dolores's room, and she immediately gets up from her desk and rushes over for a hug. She holds you a moment before returning to her seat and giving you a placid smile. [say:Hello, [Father], here to talk?]


//Clothing chat variation for if she's met Marielle (stuck on the end)
You think for a moment she might try to change the subject, but then something in her eyes lights up. [say:Oh, and how could I not, when I've been so wonderfully treated by that superb seamstress.] She briefly smooths over her dress, looking quite pleased.


//Another Just Chat option
You ask Dolores if she ever feels lonely.

Without hesitation, she turns her nose up a few degrees and answers, [say:Not at all. I am perfectly happy being on my own. Seeing the world at large was nice, but... it certainly gave me an appreciation for the joys of home. The relative quiet, having the time to just read alone, not having to worry about if I—] She glances at you and pauses mid-sentence, apparently too embarrassed to talk about embarrassing herself.

[say:But yes, or, ah, no, I'm not lonely. I appreciate your asking nonetheless, [Father].]

Well you suppose that as long as she's happy with it, it's fine.

//if Marielle
However, just when you think the subject has passed, she pipes up once more. [say:Though I suppose that Marielle's dwelling isn't so far away...] There's a contemplative look on her face, though she doesn't continue any further.


//Addition to home chat
After a few more seconds of thought, she continues, [say:Well, some of the places you took me weren't entirely disagreeable.[if (camp) { Your encampment was quite quaint[if (Marielle {, and|.}]}][if (Marielle) { [if (camp) {t|T}]hat temple that your undead friend lived in was a most relaxing sanctuary.}] But still, I believe I will stay here.]

//I should probably do more.